The State of Wisconsin regulates alcohol beverages set forth in Chapter 125 of the Wisconsin State Statutes.  Please note that the law is constantly changing - please review the State Statutes periodically for new legislation. 

Under Wis. Stat. § 125.04 and related provisions, a license or permit is required whenever a person sells, manufactures, distributes, or otherwise engages in an activity involving alcohol beverages for which Chapter 125 requires authorization, including furnishing alcohol in connection with a business, event, or public venue, unless a specific statutory exception applies.

Village Schedule of Fees

Licensing Information

Retail licenses issued by the municipality include:
  • Class "A" Fermented Malt Beverage License
    • Retail sale of fermented malt beverages (beer) for consumption off the premises. Examples: grocery or convenience stores. (sec. 125.25, Wis. Stats.)
  • "Class A" Liquor License
    • Retail sale of intoxicating liquor (including wine) for consumption off the premises. Examples: liquor stores or grocery stores with full liquor sales sections. (sec. 125.51(2), Wis. Stats.)
  • "Class A" Cider License
    • Retail sale of cider (any alcohol beverage made from the fermentation of the juice of apples or pears and that contains not less than 0.5% alcohol by volume and not more than 7% alcohol by volume) for consumption off the premises. Class "A" licensees applying for a "Class A" (cider only) license shall be issued the "Class A" (cider only) license. (sec. 125.51(2)(e), Wis. Stats.)
  • Class "B" Fermented Malt Beverage License
    • Retail sale of fermented malt beverages (beer) for consumption on or off the premises. Examples: restaurants, "beer bars." (sec. 125.26, Wis. Stats.)
  • "Class B" Liquor License
    • Retail sale of intoxicating liquor (including wine) for consumption on the premises, and wine in original sealed containers for consumption off the premises. Intoxicating liquor may also be sold by the glass for consumption off the premises if secured with a tamper-evident seal. If the municipality elects to, it may also permit sale of intoxicating liquor in any quantity, in the original sealed container, for consumption off the premises. Check local ordinances for the allowance. State law also allows carryout of a single, opened (resealed) bottle of wine if sold with a meal at either a "Class B" or "Class C" licensed premises. Examples: taverns and restaurants with alcohol beverage service. (secs. 125.51(3), 125.51(3r), Wis. Stats.)
  • "Class B" Reserve License
    • This license is the same as the "Class B" license but they are assessed an initial issuance fee of $10,000.
    • The Village has a total of 9 "Class B" Reserve licenses in use.    
  • "Class C" Wine License
    • Sale of wine for consumption only on the premises and allow the carryout of a single opened (resealed) bottle if sold with a meal. Sale of additional bottles of wine for consumption off the premises is not allowed. (secs. 125.51(3m), 125.51(3r), Wis. Stats.)
  • Temporary Class "B" (picnic) Beer and/or Wine License
    • Retail fermented malt beverage and/or wine sales, at temporary events like fairs and festivals. Only specified organizations qualify for such a license. Temporary licenses may be issued to:
      1. Bona fide clubs
      2. State, county, or local fair associations, or agricultural societies
      3. Churches, lodges, or societies that have been in existence for at least 6 months prior to the date of application
      4. Posts of veterans organizations
      5. Chambers of commerce or similar civic or trade organizations organized under ch. 181, Wis. Stats

Operator / Bartender Licenses

  • Each establishment that sells alcohol must have licensed bartenders/operators
  • Qualifications include 
    • Individual is at least 18 years or older
    • Successful completion of a DOR-approved responsible beverage server training course or holding a license at another municipality within two years fulfills this requirement
    • Meet criminal record requirements
    • A fully completed and application is required
    • The Village Board is the ruling body to either uphold or overrule a denial of an application
  • Operator Licenses are valid from July 1st through June 30th each year
  • The cost is $50 per license with no discount given for licenses issued during the term
  • Provisional Licenses may be issued prior to approval for an additional cost of $15.00
  • Licenses that are denied are not refunded