Texas liquor license types, in plain words

Mixed Beverage Permit (MB)

Authorizes the sale of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for on-premise consumption. It includes authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the MB's licensed premises, provide guestroom minibars (hotels), and hold events at a temporary location away from the primary MB premises (there will be an approval process MB Permit holders must follow).

Full bar; spirits, wine and beer by the drink.

Wine and Beer Retailer's Permit (BG)

Authorizes the sale of wine and malt beverages for on- and off- premise consumption. It also includes authority to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary BG premises (there will be an approval process BG Permit holders must follow).

Beer and wine by the drink or to go; no spirits.

Food and Beverage Certificate (FB)

For holders of a: Mixed Beverage Permit (MB), Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG), Retail Dealer's On-Premise License (BE), Private Club Registration Permit (N), Private Club Malt Beverage and Wine Permit (NB), Private Club Exemption Certificate (NE). To qualify for this certificate, a business must either be defined as a "restaurant" under the law or keep the business's alcohol sales to 60% or less of its total sales, along with other requirements (see Senate Bill 911, 87R and TABC Rule 33.5).

Rides on an MB, BG or BE; marks the spot as a restaurant rather than a bar, which relaxes the distance rules and the sign.

Beer and Wine Off-Premise Permit (BQ)

Authorizes the sale of malt beverages and wine for off-premise consumption.

Grocery, convenience or gas-station beer and wine, to go only.

Late Hours Certificate (LH)

For holders of a: Mixed Beverage Permit (MB), Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG), Retail Dealer's On-Premise License (BE), Private Club Registration Permits (N/NB/NE), Private Club Malt Beverage and Wine Permit (NB), Private Club Exemption Certificate (NE). It authorizes the holder to sell and/or serve between the hours of midnight and 2 a.m.

Pours until 2 a.m. instead of midnight; rides on an MB, BG, BE or private club permit.

Beer Retailer's On-Premise License (BE)

Authorizes the sale of malt beverages for on-premise consumption. *Grandfathered BEs in beer-only local option areas can sell malt beverages of up to 5% alcohol by volume. It includes authority to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary BE premises (there will be an approval process BE License holders must follow).Allows the holder to sell beer for consumption on or off the premises where sold in a lawful container to the ultimate consumer. Holder can't sell the beer for resale. The license requires an adequate seating area for customers.

Beer-only bar or restaurant.

Beer Retailer's Off-Premise License (BF)

Authorizes the sale of malt beverages for off-premise consumption. *Grandfathered BFs in beer-only local option areas can sell malt beverages of up to 5% alcohol by volume.

Beer-only package sales, to go.

Package Store Permit (P)

Authorizes the sale of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages to consumers for off-premise consumption. It includes authority for the package store to transport its inventory between its other licensed locations within the same county, to transport alcoholic beverage orders to its end-consumer customers (certain limitations apply), and to conduct product tastings on the package store premises.

Liquor store; spirits, wine and beer to go.

Wine-Only Package Store Permit (Q)

Authorizes the sale of malt beverages and wine to consumers for off-premise consumption. It includes authority for the Q Permit holder to transport its inventory between its other licensed locations within the same county, to transport alcoholic beverage orders to its end-consumer customers (certain limitations apply), and to conduct product tastings on the permitted premises.

Wine and beer to go, no spirits; often a grocer or wine shop.

Private Club Registration Permit (N)

Authorizes the storage and service of distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for club members' on-premise consumption, even in dry areas. It includes authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the private club's licensed premises and to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary N premises (there will be an approval process N Permit holders must follow).

Members-only club pouring the full bar, including in dry areas.

Private Club Beer and Wine Permit (NB)

Authorizes the storage and service of malt beverages and wine for club members' on-premise consumption, even in dry areas. It includes authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the private club's licensed premises and to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary NB premises (there will be an approval process NB Permit holders must follow).

Members-only club, beer and wine only.

Private Club Exemption Certificate (NE)

Authorizes fraternal and veterans organizations to serve alcoholic beverages to the organization's members and their guests. It includes authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the private club's licensed premises and to hold events at a temporary location away from the primary NE premises (there will be an approval process NE Permit holders must follow).

Fraternal or veterans hall serving members and guests.

Nonprofit Temporary Event Permit (NT)

Authorizes certain organizations to sell, serve and auction alcoholic beverages at a temporary event.

One-off event permit for a nonprofit, not a new bar.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Brewpub License (BP)

For holders of a Mixed Beverage Permit (MB), Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG), or Retail Dealer's On-Premise License (BE). It authorizes a holder to brew, bottle, can, package, and label malt beverages. It authorizes the holder to sell the malt beverages it produces to ultimate consumers at the brewpub for on- or off-premise consumption.

Brews on site and pours it; rides on an MB, BG or BE.

Local Distributor's Permit (LP)

For holders of a Package Store Permit (P), it authorizes holders to sell all types of alcoholic beverages to Mixed Beverage Permits (MB) and Private Club Registration Permits (N/NB/NE).

A package store selling to bars and clubs; rides on a P.

Winery Permit (G)

Authorizes the manufacturing of wine. It includes the ability to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the permit holder's business and from the place of sale or distribution to the purchaser, store wine, sell to consumers for on- or off-premise consumption, conduct off-premise deliveries to consumers, and to conduct wine festivals (there will be an approval process G Permit holders must follow).

Winery; can pour and sell to the public on site.

Distiller's and Rectifier's Permit (D)

Authorizes the holder to manufacture distilled spirits and to rectify, purify, refine, or mix distilled spirits and wines. Allows the distiller to contract with another distiller to conduct distilled spirit production activities at the other distiller's premises. It includes the authority to transport alcoholic beverages from the place of purchase to the permit holder's business and from the place of sale or distribution to the TABC-licensed or permitted purchaser, and to store the products produced by the permit holder. Under certain conditions, the holder can sell their alcoholic beverages to consumers for on- or off-premises consumption.

Distillery.

Brewer's License (BW)

Authorizes the holder to manufacture malt beverages, import malt beverages from out of state, transport malt beverages from the place where the BW holder purchased them to the BW holder's business, transfer malt beverages from the place of sale or distribution to the TABC-licensed or permitted purchaser, store malt beverages, and under certain conditions sell its malt beverages to consumers for on- or off-premise consumption.

Brewery.

Brewer's Self-Distribution License (SD)

For holders of a Brewer's License (BW) that meet certain production thresholds, it authorizes brewers to sell malt beverages that they produce to retailers, distributors and wholesalers who are authorized to sell malt beverages in Texas.

A brewery selling its own beer straight to retail; rides on a BW.

General Distributor's License (BB)

Authorizes the distribution of malt beverages. It includes the authority to import malt beverage products and transport products from the place of purchase to the permit holder's business and from the place of sale or distribution to the purchaser. The license holder may also give malt beverage samples to license holders that are authorized to sell malt beverages at retail (effective Sept. 1, 2023).

Beer distributor.

Branch Distributor's License (BC)

For holders of a General Distributor's License (BB), it authorizes a general distributor to expand its distributing business to additional locations in any Texas county where the sale of malt beverages is legal.

A beer distributor's branch warehouse.

Wholesaler's Permit (W)

Authorizes the distribution of distilled spirits and wine. It includes the authority to import distilled spirits and wine, transport products from the place of purchase to the permit holder's business and from the place of sale or distribution to the purchaser, and to store products. The permit holder may also give liquor samples to permit holders that are authorized to sell liquor at retail.

Spirits and wine wholesaler.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Class B Wholesaler's Permit (X)

Authorizes the distribution of wine. It includes the authority to import wine, transport wine products from the place of purchase to the permit holder's business and from the place of sale or distribution to the purchaser, and to store the products.

Wine-only wholesaler.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Nonresident Seller's Permit (S)

Authorizes the holder to sell and ship distilled spirits and wine to Texas-based TABC license or permit holders that are authorized to import those beverages into Texas.

Out-of-state supplier shipping spirits or wine into Texas.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Nonresident Brewer's License (BN)

Authorizes out-of-state brewers to sell malt beverages to Texas-based TABC license holders that are authorized to import those beverages into Texas. It also authorizes transportation to those Texas importers. Authorized Texas importers of malt beverages hold a Brewer's License (BW), General Distributor's License (BB) or Branch Distributor's License (BC).

Out-of-state brewery selling into Texas.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Out-of-State Winery Direct Shipper (DS)

Authorizes out-of-state wineries to ship wine directly to consumers.

Out-of-state winery shipping to Texas consumers; no premises here.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Passenger Transportation Permit (TR)

Authorizes airlines, buses, boats, and trains to sell and serve distilled spirits, wine and malt beverages for onboard consumption.

Onboard service for airlines, buses, boats and trains.

Consumer Delivery Permit (CD)

Authorizes retailers and delivery companies, and their delivery drivers, to deliver alcoholic beverages sold by a retailer from the retailer's premises to the ultimate consumer.

Delivery permit for a retailer or a delivery company.

Bonded Warehouse Permit (J/JD)

Authorizes the holder to store distilled spirits and wine for producers and wholesalers.

Bonded storage for spirits and wine.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Carrier's Permit (C)

Authorizes the holder to take possession of and deliver distilled spirits and wine from the sender to a pre-determined recipient. Carrier's Permit may be issued to a water carrier, airline, railway, motor carrier registered under Chapter 643 of the Transportation Code, or a common carrier operating under a certificate issued by the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Freight carrier moving spirits and wine.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Promotional Permit (PR)

Authorizes the holder to conduct product tastings on behalf of manufacturing tier licensees and permittees.

Tasting and promo work for a supplier.

Not in the feed: nobody sells to these the way they sell to a bar or store.

Water Park Permit (WP)

For holders of a Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG) that operate a water park located primarily along the banks of the Comal River. If the holder has a WP at two or more water park locations, the holder may transport alcoholic beverages between the premises of all water parks for which the holder has a WP.

Comal River water park add-on to a BG.

Local Cartage Permit (E)

Holders of a Wine and Malt Beverage Retailer's Permit (BG) may acquire a Local Cartage Permit (E), which authorizes them to deliver alcoholic beverage products to consumers that are within the same county as the BG Permit holder's licensed premises. A warehouse or transfer company may acquire a Local Cartage Permit (E), which authorizes them to transport alcoholic beverages for hire inside the corporate limits of any city or town within Texas, but not between cities or towns in Texas.

Local delivery for a BG or a cartage company.