Responsible Service

Serving wine and other alcoholic drinks is an art that requires many competencies and legal responsibilities in order for consumers to enjoy drinking in a safe and non-excessive way.

A professional serving alcoholic drinks has a key role to play in the community.
In addition to the legal responsibilities, it is necessary to be aware of the social responsibilities that are essential to managing a good business and safeguarding consumers.

The main focus of this guide is “serving alcohol in a responsible manner”. What does this mean?

The majority of the time, alcohol is consumed in a moderate, responsible and socially-acceptable fashion. On the other hand, however, excessive consumption can cause irreversible damage to an individual’s health. It is therefore important that the sale and service of alcoholic drinks is done responsibly and minimises any risks.

There are many aspects related to the service of alcoholic drinks that should be observed, such as:

• Being a good host, creating a friendly environment;
• Being a salesperson who knows their own products;
• Being vigilant to ensure no one infringes the law;
• Being a professional in terms of hygiene and the organization of the workplace;
• A focus on safety, considering clients’ wellbeing and minimising risks.

This means that the professional has to think about consumers, the quantities served and the wellbeing and health of clients. Many countries apply laws to facilitate this process, while there are also a number of good practices that can be adopted in relation to the responsible service of alcoholic drinks.

The aim of this manual is to outline the knowledge and competencies required by a professional who serves and/or sells alcoholic drinks, the responsibilities demanded of them and the legislation they need to know.

This may relate to a bar, restaurant, café or other licensed commercial establishment, where alcohol is sold and consumed on the same premises, or an environment without this type of license, where alcohol is sold, but the client consumes it away from the premises.

It will also be relevant to other professionals, who have direct or indirect contact with sectors relating to the commercialization of alcoholic beverages.