CaliforniaABC

ABC’s licensing representatives strive to make the application process efficient and transparent while also operating with fairness and integrity. We’re always delighted when licensees share appreciation for our staff. Thank you, licensees!

ABC’s licensing representatives strive to make the application process efficient and transparent while also operating with fairness and integrity. We’re always delighted when licensees share appreciation for our staff. Thank you, licensees!

California Tribal Nations: Register for the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Tribal Listening Session Friday, April 17, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. (virtual) ABC is hosting a virtual Tribal Nation Listening Session on alcohol licensing and regulation to hear Tribal perspectives and support government-to-government collaboration. Please register in advance with this Zoom registration link.: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regist… After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting; contact Priscilla LoForte, Tribal Liaison for more information.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control is launching a series of videos covering California alcohol regulation from A to Z. In today’s ABCs of ABC, we dive into the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act and the history of alcohol regulation in California.

On this first Farmworkers Day, we honor their contributions, recognize their ongoing struggles, and reaffirm our commitment to stand with them. California will continue to fight for farmworkers and their families — from fair wages and safe working conditions to protection from harmful immigration actions.

REMINDER: ABC is hosting a Tribal Nation Listening Session today on alcohol licensing and regulation to hear Tribal perspectives and support government-to-government collaboration. Register for the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Tribal Listening Session - Friday, March 27, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. (in-person, Rancho Cordova) Location: Department of Cannabis Control Headquarters Hearing Room, 2920 Kilgore Road, Rancho Cordova

It’s Opening Day in the best state for baseball! As a reminder, selling alcohol without a license is illegal. Illegal vending outside stadiums leads to an increase in underage drinking, over intoxication, and DUIs. Law enforcement can issue you a citation and seize your alcohol if you are illegally vending.

ABC’s licensing representatives strive to make the application process efficient and transparent while also operating with fairness and integrity. We’re always delighted when licensees share appreciation for our staff. Thank you, licensees!

In honor of Women's History Month, ABC today spotlights its first female investigators. Hired in 1956, Joan Thompson and Fay Hogoboom were graduates of UC Berkeley before joining the department. At the time, female investigators were not allowed to have the same duties at male investigators. They worked undercover, observed and documented violations, but they would have to report back to male colleagues who would then make arrests. Today, ABC has approximately 210 sworn agents, both male and female agents. who handle the full range of enforcement. ABC is also in involved in the 30x30 Initiative, which aims to increase the representation of women in police recruit classes to 30% by 2030.

ABC is hosting a Tribal Nation Listening Session on alcohol licensing and regulation to hear Tribal perspectives and support government-to-government collaboration. Register for the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Tribal Listening Session - Friday, March 27, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. (in-person, Rancho Cordova) Location: Department of Cannabis Control Headquarters Hearing Room, 2920 Kilgore Road, Rancho Cordova (free on-site parking is available for participants; vehicles must park in DCC-labeled stalls; any vehicles parked elsewhere may be subject to towing; participants must sign in at the security desk on arrival). Please register and submit questions in advance via this short survey: surveymonkey.com/r/TCP2JXQ Contact Priscilla LoForte, Tribal Liaison for more information. A virtual option will be scheduled soon after the in-person session with a tentative date of April 17, 1pm-3pm.

ABC’s licensing representatives strive to make the application process efficient and transparent while also operating with fairness and integrity. We’re always delighted when licensees share appreciation for our staff. Thank you, licensees!

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day responsibly to keep yourself and your community safe. 🍀Have a sober ride home. 🍀Don’t let buzzed or drunk friends drive. 🍀If you’re hosting, make sure your guests have sober rides home. 🍀Licensees should check IDs carefully to prevent underage drinking and not serve obviously intoxicated patrons.

Shoulder Tapping is when underage individuals loiter in front of markets asking adults to buy them alcohol. All day today, ABC agents, like these from the Training Unit, and law enforcement partners around the state are working with minor decoys to cite individuals who buy alcohol for minors. Always say “no,” to buying alcohol for minors.

This suspect was cited for purchasing alcohol for a minor decoy in La Habra by ABC agents from the Trade Enforcement, Special Operations, and APP Units. HINT: If a minor approaches you outside a store to buy alcohol for them, say no. #StatewideShoulderOp2026

ABC's Sacramento District Office with a citation during Statewide Shoulder Tap 2026.

Statewide Shoulder Tap 2026 enforcement continues with our partners at Sierra Madre PD. This suspect was cited for a violation of California Business and Professions Code, Section 25658(a), which makes it a misdemeanor to sell, furnish, or give alcohol to anyone under 21 years old. Violations can lead to $1,000 in fines, at least 24 hours of community service, and potential jail time. #statewideshouldertap

ABC's Statewide Shoulder Tap Operation 2026 is now in effect today, March 14th, and agents across the state have begun citing those who purchase or provide alcohol to minors through decoy operations. This suspect in Cathedral City was cited this morning for furnishing alcohol to a minor and was booked for a felony parole violation (attempted murder). #statewideshouldertap #noalcoholforminors #SayNoIfAsked

The California Statewide Shoulder Tap Operation is happening THIS SATURDAY, March 14. ABC’s goal is zero arrests and zero citations, meaning everyone turns our decoys down. Always say “no,” when minors solicit you for alcohol. @OTS_CA

Shoulder Tapping is when underage individuals loiter in front of markets asking adults to buy them alcohol. On March 14, ABC and law enforcement partners will work with minor decoys to cite individuals who buy alcohol for minors. Always say “no,” to buying alcohol for minors.

Why do we conduct Shoulder Tap operations? To protect youth, promote safety, and prevent adults from making bad decisions that can have worse repercussions. Stay tuned for March 14 as we collaborate with local law enforcement agencies in a statewide operation to reduce youth access to alcohol. Local operations are funded by ABC’s Alcohol Policing Partnership program and the California Office of Traffic Safety @OTS_CA through @NHTSAgov : abc.ca.gov/enforcement/un…