When a book or course has “101” in the title, it means that it will cover beginner material (i.e. “basic instructions”) on a topic. It was originally used in the educational world as a number system for lessons, but now references any area where learning is involved.
One area where you must understand the basics is alcohol service.
Not doing so can have a variety of consequences, legal and otherwise. Whether you're in a new alcohol-serving role or you simply want to improve your knowledge, here are some basics about responsible alcohol service that everyone needs to know.
Tips for Serving Alcohol Responsibly
The responsibility of knowing when to serve someone is often up to the server, not the patron. That’s how the law tends to see it, anyway. Regardless of who has the official responsibility, there is an ethical responsibility to serving someone as well. Here are some examples of how you can serve alcohol responsibly:
- Don’t serve someone who shows signs of being intoxicated.
- Check identification cards for every single guest you serve.
- Only serve with proper permits in the allotted hours of service.
- Don’t encourage or advertise to minors about alcohol.
- Provide transportation options to patrons, if needed.
Consequences of Serving Alcohol Irresponsibly
So, what happens if you ignore all of the above tips and try to sell as many drinks as possible? It could come with legal consequences, such as fines and penalties for not following regulations, legal liabilities, criminal charges and even the suspension or revocation of the establishment’s alcohol license. This can have a huge impact on the business’ revenue and bottom line.
TABC: Additional Alcohol Service Training
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) regulates and certifies training courses for those who serve alcohol. A state-approved course by the TABC can be a valuable resource for knowing what to do and what not to do when it comes to alcohol service. American Course Academy provides a TABC Certification Course that takes approximately two hours to complete. After your completion of the TABC course, you’ll be better able to identify and prevent sales of alcoholic beverages to minors, intoxicated persons and non-members of a private club. (Plus, it will look good on your resume.)
Whether you have questions about proper alcohol service or are interested in more ways to serve alcohol responsibly, American Course Academy is your ideal resource. Contact us at 972-800-8758 if you need assistance.
