Liquor officials raid two Coeur d’Alene businesses, seize beer and wine

Detectives raided two Coeur d’Alene businesses and seized dozens of cases of wine and four kegs of beer earlier this week amid allegations the products had not been sold through a wholesale distributor, which is required under Idaho law.

Detectives on Tuesday seized 225 cases of wine from Castaway Cellars on Sherman Avenue and four kegs of beer from the Badass Backyard Brewing taproom on Coeur d’Alene Avenue. The raid was conducted by the Idaho State Police Alcohol Beverage Control office, Idaho State Tax Commission, Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Control Board and Kootenai County prosecutors.

Idaho law prohibits wine and beer from being sold either by a private party bringing the products into the state or retail-to-retail without first passing through a wholesale distributor, which allows the state to report and collect proper taxes, said Tim Marsano, Idaho State Police spokesman.

Charlene Honcik, owner of Spokane Valley-based Badass Backyard Brewing, said she was unaware of the Idaho law requiring the kegs to first pass through a wholesale distributor.

“We’re good to go,” Honcik said. She hopes to reopen the business at 317 Coeur d’Alene Ave., Suite C, on Friday.

Calls to Castaway Cellars seeking comment were not immediately returned Thursday.

Marsano said no arrests have been made but noted the investigation is continuing.