Chapter 125

125.06(3g) (3g) Wine or fermented malt beverages made at supply stores. The manufacture of wine or fermented malt beverages by any person at a business primarily engaged in selling supplies and equipment for use by homebrewers or home winemakers, and, notwithstanding s. 125.09 (1), the tasting at the business of wine or fermented malt beverages so manufactured, if the wine or fermented malt beverages are not sold or offered for sale. Wine or fermented malt beverages provided at a business for tasting under this subsection may only be provided by a person who holds an operator’s license issued under s. 125.17 or an operator’s permit issued under s. 125.175.

Effective date note NOTE: Sub. (3g) is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 73. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads:

Effective date text (3g) Wine or fermented malt beverages made at supply stores. The manufacture of wine or fermented malt beverages by any person at a business primarily engaged in selling supplies and equipment for use by homebrewers or home winemakers, and, notwithstanding s. 125.09 (1), the tasting at the business of wine or fermented malt beverages so manufactured, if the wine or fermented malt beverages are not sold or offered for sale. Wine or fermented malt beverages provided at a business for tasting under this subsection may only be provided by a person who holds an operator’s license issued under s. 125.17.

125.06(3m) (3m) The use of homemade wine or fermented malt beverages for competitions or exhibitions or similar purposes.

125.06(3m)(a) (a) The use of homemade wine or fermented malt beverages made in compliance with the limitations specified in sub. (3) (a) for purposes of exhibition, demonstration, judging, tasting, or sampling or as part of a contest or competition, if the exhibition, demonstration, judging, tasting, sampling, contest, or competition is held at a private residence or on a licensed premises. Homemade wine or fermented malt beverages used for purposes described in this paragraph, including the submission or consumption of such wine or fermented malt beverages, are not considered sold or offered for sale under sub. (3) (a) 2. and any prize awarded at a contest or competition or as a result of an exhibition, demonstration, judging, tasting, or sampling is not considered compensation under sub. (3) (a) 1., but no fee may be charged for consumption of the homemade wine or fermented malt beverages at the exhibition, demonstration, judging, tasting, sampling, contest, or competition.

125.06(3m)(b) (b) Notwithstanding ss. 125.14 (5), 125.315, 125.32 (6) (a), 125.34 (2) and (5), and 125.67, a person who is not a licensee under this chapter may at a private residence, and a person who is a licensee under this chapter may on the licensed premises, conduct, sponsor, or host a contest, competition, or other event for the exhibition, demonstration, judging, tasting, or sampling of homemade wine or fermented malt beverages made in compliance with the limitations specified in sub. (3) (a) if the person does not sell the wine or fermented malt beverages and, unless the person is the maker of the wine or fermented malt beverages, does not acquire any ownership interest in the wine or fermented malt beverages. No fee may be charged for consumption of homemade wine or fermented malt beverages at the contest, competition, or other event. If the contest, competition, or other event is held on licensed premises, the licensee may allow the homemade wine or fermented malt beverages to be stored on the premises if the homemade wine or fermented malt beverages are clearly identified and kept separate from any alcohol beverages owned by the licensee. If the contest, competition, or other event is held on licensed premises, the provisions of ss. 125.32 (7) and 125.68 (9) (e) do not apply with respect to the homemade wine or fermented malt beverages. If the contest, competition, or other event is held on licensed premises, the licensee shall comply with all provisions of this chapter and local ordinances that would apply if the fermented malt beverages or wine were not homemade, except those provisions made specifically inapplicable under this paragraph.

125.06(3m)(c) (c) If a competition or exhibition complying with par. (b) is held by a national organization and has participants from more than 25 states, a person who made homemade wine or fermented malt beverages in another state under conditions similar to those imposed under sub. (3) may, without holding a license or permit under this chapter, transport up to 10 gallons of homemade wine or fermented malt beverages into this state for purposes of participating in the competition or exhibition.

125.06(3r) (3r) Wine or fermented malt beverages made for educational purposes. The manufacture of wine or fermented malt beverages for educational purposes, and, notwithstanding s. 125.09 (1), the tasting of the wine or fermented malt beverages at the place of manufacture, if the wine or fermented malt beverages are not sold or offered for sale.

125.06(4) (4) Unadulterated cider. The manufacture or sale of unadulterated apple cider.

125.06(5) (5) Railroads, aircraft. The sale of alcohol beverages on any railroad dining, buffet or cafe car or aircraft, while in transit. Except as authorized under s. 125.26 (3m) or 125.51 (3) (dm), alcohol beverages may be consumed in a railroad dining, buffet or cafe car or aircraft only while it is in transit.

125.06(6) (6) Public parks. The sale of fermented malt beverages in any public park operated by a county or municipality. Fermented malt beverages shall be sold by officers or employees of the county or municipality under an ordinance, resolution, rule or regulation enacted by the governing body.

125.06(7) (7) Judicial, personal representative’s, guardian’s, receiver’s or trustee’s sale. The sale of alcohol beverages at any judicial, personal representative’s or guardian’s sale or any sale by a receiver or trustee in insolvency or bankruptcy, where the estate being administered possesses a license or permit in effect on the date of such sale.

125.06(8) (8) Sale by secured party. The sale of alcohol beverages by a secured party in good faith under the terms of a security agreement, if the sale is not for the purpose of avoiding this chapter or ch. 139. The sale must be in the ordinary course of the business of lending money secured by a security interest in alcohol beverages or warehouse receipts or other evidence of ownership. A sale of fermented malt beverages must be made within 15 days after the secured party takes possession of the fermented malt beverages unless the secured party demonstrates good cause why a sale in compliance with s. 409.610 (2) or the security agreement cannot be made within this time period.

125.06(9) (9) Ceramic bottle collectors. The sale of ceramic commemorative bottles or other uniquely designed decanters which contain intoxicating liquor, by collectors of such containers to other collectors of such containers.

125.06(10) (10) Raffles. The awarding of alcohol beverages in original, unopened packages, containers or bottles as a prize, in a raffle conducted by an organization licensed to conduct the raffle under ch. 563, to any person who has attained the legal drinking age.

125.06(11) (11) Auction sales. The sale by an auction house at public auction of a collection of sealed bottles of intoxicating liquor or unopened beer cans for the purpose of settling an estate or disposing of the collection or the auction sale of sealed bottles or containers of wine or of unopened bottles of intoxicating liquor or fermented malt beverages by a charitable organization, as defined in s. 202.11 (1), at an auction held to raise money for the charitable organization.

125.06(11m) (11m) Wine collectors. The sale by a wine collector to any other wine collector of manufacturer-sealed bottles or containers of wine that the selling wine collector has held for at least 8 years if the selling wine collector has provided prior notice of the sale to the division. No more than one sale in any 12-month period may be conducted by a wine collector under this paragraph.

125.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Tax 8.03, Wis. adm. code.

125.06(12) (12) Bed and breakfast establishments. The provision by a bed and breakfast establishment, as defined under s. 97.01 (1g), of not more than 2 complimentary 4-fluid-ounce glasses of wine per day to a person renting a room at the bed and breakfast establishment for consumption on the premises of the bed and breakfast establishment.

125.06 History History: 1981 c. 79, 202; 1983 a. 222, 360, 538; 1985 a. 337; 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 253; 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 226; 1995 a. 225; 2001 a. 16; 2007 a. 9, 85, 216; 2011 a. 179, 200; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 55; 2023 a. 73.

125.07 125.07 Underage and intoxicated persons; presence on licensed premises; possession; penalties.

125.07(1) (1) Alcohol beverages; restrictions relating to underage persons.

125.07(1)(a) (a) Restrictions.

125.07(1)(a)1. 1. No person may procure for, sell, dispense or give away any alcohol beverages to any underage person not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age.

125.07(1)(a)2. 2. No licensee or permittee may sell, vend, deal or traffic in alcohol beverages to or with any underage person not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age.

125.07(1)(a)3. 3. No adult may knowingly permit or fail to take action to prevent the illegal consumption of alcohol beverages by an underage person on property, including any premises, owned and occupied by the adult or occupied by the adult and under the adult’s control. This subdivision applies at a lodging establishment, as defined in s. 106.52 (1) (d), only if the adult has furnished payment or security for lodging. This subdivision does not apply to alcohol beverages used exclusively as part of a religious service.

125.07(1)(a)4. 4. No adult may intentionally encourage or contribute to a violation of sub. (4) (a) or (b).

125.07(1)(b) (b) Penalties.

125.07(1)(b)1. 1. In this paragraph, “violation” means a violation of this subsection or of a local ordinance that strictly conforms to par. (a) if the violation results in an imposition of a forfeiture or a conviction. For purposes of determining previous violations under subd. 2., the 30-month period shall be measured from the dates of violations that resulted in an imposition of a forfeiture or a conviction. For the purpose of determining whether or not a previous violation has occurred, if more than one violation occurs at the same time all those violations shall be counted as one violation.

125.07(1)(b)2. 2. A person who commits a violation may be:

125.07(1)(b)2.a. a. Required to forfeit not more than $500 if the person has not committed a previous violation within 30 months of the violation.

125.07(1)(b)2.b. b. Fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days or both if the person has committed a previous violation within 30 months of the violation.

125.07(1)(b)2.c. c. Fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 90 days or both if the person has committed 2 previous violations within 30 months of the violation.

125.07(1)(b)2.d. d. Fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both if the person has committed 3 or more previous violations within 30 months of the violation.

125.07(1)(b)3. 3. A court shall suspend any license or permit issued under this chapter to a person for:

125.07(1)(b)3.a. a. Not more than 3 days, if the court finds that the person committed a violation within 12 months after committing one previous violation;

125.07(1)(b)3.b. b. Not less than 3 days nor more than 10 days, if the court finds that the person committed a violation within 12 months after committing 2 other violations; or

125.07(1)(b)3.c. c. Not less than 15 days nor more than 30 days, if the court finds that the person committed the violation within 12 months after committing 3 other violations.

125.07(1)(b)4. 4. The court shall promptly mail notice of a suspension under this paragraph to the division and to the clerk of each municipality which has issued a license or permit to the person.

125.07(1)(b)5. 5. A person who holds a Class “A” license, a Class “B” license or permit, a “Class A” license or a “Class B” license or permit who commits a violation is subject to subd. 3. but is not subject to subd. 2. or s. 125.11.

125.07(1)(b)6. 6.

125.07(1)(b)6.a. a. Notwithstanding subd. 1., in this subdivision, “violation” means a violation of par. (a) or of a local ordinance that strictly conforms to par. (a).

125.07(1)(b)6.b. b. Subject to subd. 6. c., only one penalty may be imposed under this paragraph for each underage person who is provided alcohol beverages contrary to this section or a local ordinance in conformity with this section.

125.07(1)(b)6.c. c. If a violation occurs on licensed premises and the violation is detected by means of an undercover underage person employed by or assisting a law enforcement agency, only the individual responsible for providing the alcohol beverages to the underage person may be issued a citation for, or charged with, the violation.

125.07(2) (2) Sales of alcohol beverages to intoxicated persons.

125.07(2)(a) (a) Restrictions.

125.07(2)(a)1. 1. No person may procure for, sell, dispense or give away alcohol beverages to a person who is intoxicated.

125.07(2)(a)2. 2. No licensee or permittee may sell, vend, deal or traffic in alcohol beverages to or with a person who is intoxicated.

125.07(2)(b) (b) Penalties. Any person who violates par. (a) shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 60 days or both.

125.07(3) (3) Presence in places of sale; penalty.

125.07(3)(a) (a) Restrictions. An underage person not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age may not enter, knowingly attempt to enter or be on any premises for which a license or permit for the retail sale of alcohol beverages has been issued, for any purpose except the transaction of business pertaining to the licensed premises with or for the licensee or his or her employee. The business may not be amusement or the purchase, receiving or consumption of edibles or beverages or similar activities which normally constitute activities of a customer of the premises. This paragraph does not apply to:

125.07(3)(a)1. 1. An underage person who is a resident, employee, lodger or boarder on the premises controlled by the proprietor, licensee or permittee of which the licensed premises consists or is a part.

125.07(3)(a)2. 2. An underage person who enters or is on a Class “A” or “Class A” premises for the purpose of purchasing items other than alcohol beverages. An underage person so entering the premises may not remain on the premises after the purchase.

125.07(3)(a)3. 3. Hotels, drug stores, grocery stores, bowling centers, movie theaters, painting studios, billiards centers having on the premises 12 or more billiards tables that are not designed for coin operation and that are 8 feet or longer in length, indoor golf simulator facilities, indoor golf and baseball facilities on premises for which the only alcohol beverage license issued is a Class “B” license, axe throwing facilities on premises operated under Class “B” or “Class B” licenses, service stations, vessels, cars operated by any railroad, regularly established athletic fields, outdoor volleyball courts that are contiguous to a licensed premises, stadiums, music festival venues during an event with a projected attendance of at least 2,500 persons, public facilities as defined in s. 125.51 (5) (b) 1. d. which are owned by a county or municipality or centers for the visual or performing arts.

125.07(3)(a)3m. 3m. Premises having an indoor volleyball court that measures at least 9 meters by 18 meters in area. The exception under this subdivision does not authorize an underage person to loiter in any room that is primarily used for the sale or consumption of alcohol beverages.

125.07(3)(a)3r. 3r. Any privately owned business that exists to provide recreational fishing opportunities to the public for a fee and that is registered under s. 95.60 (3m) if the sale of alcohol beverages accounts for less than 30 percent of the business’s gross receipts.

125.07(3)(a)4. 4. Premises in the state fair park, concessions authorized on state-owned premises in the state parks and state forests as defined or designated in chs. 27 and 28, and parks owned or operated by agricultural societies.

125.07(3)(a)5. 5. Ski chalets, golf courses and golf clubhouses, racetracks licensed under ch. 562, curling clubs, private soccer clubs and private tennis clubs.

125.07(3)(a)6. 6. Premises operated under both a Class “B” or “Class B” license or permit and a license under s. 97.30 for a restaurant where the principal business conducted is that of a restaurant. If the premises are operated under both a Class “B” or “Class B” license or permit and a license under s. 97.30 for a restaurant, the principal business conducted is presumed to be the sale of alcohol beverages, but the presumption may be rebutted by competent evidence.

125.07(3)(a)6m. 6m. Premises operating under both a “Class C” license and a license under s. 97.30 for a restaurant.

125.07(3)(a)7. 7. An underage person who enters or remains on a Class “B” or “Class B” premises for the purpose of transacting business at an auction or market, if the person does not enter or remain in a room where alcohol beverages are sold, furnished or possessed.

125.07(3)(a)8. 8. An underage person who enters or remains in a room on Class “B” or “Class B” licensed premises separate from any room where alcohol beverages are sold or served, if no alcohol beverages are furnished or consumed by any person in the room where the underage person is present and the presence of underage persons is authorized under this subdivision. An underage person may enter and remain on Class “B” or “Class B” premises under this subdivision only if the municipality which issued the Class “B” or “Class B” license adopts an ordinance permitting underage persons to enter and remain on the premises as provided in this subdivision and the law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing the ordinance issues to the Class “B” or “Class B” licensee a written authorization permitting underage persons to be present under this subdivision on the date specified in the authorization. Before issuing the authorization, the law enforcement agency shall make a determination that the presence of underage persons on the licensed premises will not endanger their health, welfare or safety or that of other members of the community. The licensee shall obtain a separate authorization for each date on which underage persons will be present on the premises.

125.07(3)(a)9. 9. A person who is at least 18 years of age and who is working under a contract with the licensee, permittee or corporate agent to provide entertainment for customers on the premises.

125.07(3)(a)10. 10. An underage person who enters or remains on Class “B” or “Class B” licensed premises on a date specified by the licensee or permittee during times when no alcohol beverages are consumed, sold or given away. During those times, the licensee, the agent named in the license if the licensee is a corporation or limited liability company or a person who has an operator’s license or operator’s permit shall be on the premises unless all alcohol beverages are stored in a locked portion of the premises. The licensee shall notify the local law enforcement agency, in advance, of the times underage persons will be allowed on the premises under this subdivision.

Effective date note NOTE: Subd. 10. is shown as amended eff. 1-1-25 by 2023 Wis. Act 73. Prior to 1-1-25 it reads:

Effective date text 10. An underage person who enters or remains on Class “B” or “Class B” licensed premises on a date specified by the licensee or permittee during times when no alcohol beverages are consumed, sold or given away. During those times, the licensee, the agent named in the license if the licensee is a corporation or limited liability company or a person who has an operator’s license shall be on the premises unless all alcohol beverages are stored in a locked portion of the premises. The licensee shall notify the local law enforcement agency, in advance, of the times underage persons will be allowed on the premises under this subdivision.

125.07(3)(a)11. 11. An underage person who enters or remains in a dance hall or banquet or hospitality room attached to Class “B” or “Class B” licensed premises for the purpose of attending a banquet, reception, dance, or other similar event.

125.07(3)(a)12. 12. An underage person who enters and remains on premises for which a temporary Class “B” license is issued under s. 125.26 (6) if the licensee is authorized by the official or body of the municipality that issued the license to permit underage persons to be on the premises under s. 125.26 (6) and if the licensee permits underage persons to be on the premises.

125.07(3)(a)12m. 12m. An underage person who enters and remains on premises covered by a temporary “Class B” license issued as provided in s. 125.51 (10) (b) if all of the following apply:

125.07(3)(a)12m.a. a. The municipal governing body issuing the license, or an official or body authorized by the municipal governing body, authorizes the licensee to permit underage persons to be on the licensed premises for the purpose of acting as designated drivers.

125.07(3)(a)12m.b. b. The licensee permits, on the licensed premises, unaccompanied underage persons to be present only for the purpose of acting as designated drivers and the licensee provides a means of identification, such as a wrist band, to identify these underage persons as designated drivers.

125.07(3)(a)12m.c. c. The underage person is present on the licensed premises to act as a designated driver and displays the means of identification specified in subd. 12m. b.

125.07(3)(a)13. 13. An underage person who enters or remains in a banquet or hospitality room on brewery premises for the purpose of attending a brewery tour.

125.07(3)(a)14. 14. An underage person who enters or remains on licensed premises at the Eagle Ridge Festival Grounds in the city of Chippewa Falls.

125.07(3)(a)15. 15. An underage person employed by or assisting a law enforcement agency in carrying out enforcement activities to determine compliance with, or investigate potential violations of, the provisions of this section.

125.07(3)(a)16. 16. An underage person who enters or remains in a banquet or hospitality room on winery premises for the purpose of attending a winery tour.

125.07(3)(a)17. 17. Premises for which a Class “B” permit is issued under s. 125.27 (5) or a “Class B” permit is issued under s. 125.51 (5) (f).

125.07(3)(b) (b) Penalties. A licensee or permittee who directly or indirectly permits an underage person to enter or be on a licensed premises in violation of par. (a) is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $500.

125.07(4) (4) Underage persons; prohibitions; penalties.

125.07(4)(a) (a) Any underage person who does any of the following is guilty of a violation:

125.07(4)(a)1. 1. Procures or attempts to procure alcohol beverages from a licensee or permittee.

125.07(4)(a)2. 2. Unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age, possesses or consumes alcohol beverages on licensed premises.

125.07(4)(a)3. 3. Enters, knowingly attempts to enter or is on licensed premises in violation of sub. (3) (a).

125.07(4)(a)4. 4. Falsely represents his or her age for the purpose of receiving alcohol beverages from a licensee or permittee.

125.07(4)(b) (b) Except as provided in par. (bm), any underage person not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age who knowingly possesses or consumes alcohol beverages is guilty of a violation.

125.07(4)(bg) (bg) Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to an underage person employed by or assisting a law enforcement agency in carrying out enforcement activities to determine compliance with, or investigate potential violations of, the provisions of this section.

125.07(4)(bm) (bm) An underage person may possess alcohol beverages in the course of employment during his or her working hours if employed by any of the following:

125.07(4)(bm)1. 1. A brewer or brewpub.

125.07(4)(bm)2. 2. A fermented malt beverages wholesaler.