Breweries, wineries can open without serving food

Californians will be able to sip a beer at their local brewery without having to buy food for the first time since summer.

Starting this Saturday, Californians will be able to sip a beer at their local brewery without having to buy food for the first time since the summer.

The California Department of Public Health updated its COVID-19 reopening guidelines on Thursday to allow for breweries, wineries and distilleries to operate without having to serve food from their own kitchens or food trucks.

It’s great news for thousands of businesses.

“We believe breweries are an important part of the community, acting as a gathering place for friends and family,” says Thomas Vo, brewmaster at Calicraft Brewing Company in Walnut Creek. “Even though COVID has limited those interactions, breweries offer a safe, affordable outdoor way to take a break from Zoom calls and get out of the house.”

Like many breweries, Calicraft has pivoted to meet the outdoor requirements, adding 50-plus outdoor tables while still social distancing 8 feet between tables. For counties in the purple or red tiers — that’s every county in the Bay Area — operations must continue to be held outside only. Reservations are still required, and seatings must be at tables for a time limit of 90 minutes.

When counties reach the orange tier of the state’s reopening metrics, these businesses can operate indoors at 25 percent capacity or up to 100 people, whichever is fewer. In yellow, that number jumps to 50 percent capacity or 200 people.

The non-food guidelines will not apply to outdoor bars until a county hits the orange tier.

In Alameda County, the food service requirement was lifted back in late August, when a local health order allowed wineries in that county to open for outdoor tastings by appointment without needing to provide food. But it did not include breweries, distilleries or bars.