Step into the future of Maryland alcohol with us.

Prohibition was repealed in 1933, but its legacy lives on through Maryland’s extremely antiquated alcohol laws. Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws (MBBWL) wants to say, “yes” to modernization and “no” to outdated rules that have stolen greater choice, convenience, industry growth, and economic opportunity from the people of Maryland.

Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws was formed in 2005 because Maryland was woefully behind the times in terms of alcohol progressiveness and continues to be so this day. Our organization successfully formed the coalition that led to the legalization of winery direct shipping in 2011. Maryland was previously one of only two felony states for wine shipping and became a standard-bearer through its Comptroller’s report. Wine shipping had been discussed in Annapolis for thirty years but did not pass until consumers, wineries, and retailers banded together.

The following year, we were successfully able to legalize corkage in Maryland. The law previously made it illegal for a restaurant to allow a patron to bring their own bottle of wine - typically for a special occasion - if the restaurant already had a liquor license. Patrons of restaurants without liquor licenses have always been allowed to bring their own wine as long as the restaurant permits it. With the help of many of Maryland’s fine dining restaurants, we passed a bill that allows a restaurant to set its own policy and fees.