The ABC Board is inaugurating tomorrow a new way for patrons to take part in limited release events.

Beginning Thursday, Aug. 1, all Alabamians of legal drinking age will be given an opportunity through a first-of-its-kind sweepstakes to attend a “limited release event” where they can purchase restricted quantities of highly allocated brands from multiple suppliers. Patrons chosen through the sweepstakes program will win a specific place in line for the limited-release event.

The actual sale will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24 at ABC Store 72 at 8739 Eastchase Parkway in Montgomery. Future sweepstakes are planned for other ABC Stores around the state.

Officials with the ABC Board explained that, in years past, the release of highly-allocated bourbons has resulted in people camping out at stores. While the “first-come, first-served” process was presumed to be the most fair, it was also difficult to manage and dangerous for patrons and employees.

Consumers wishing to participate in the sweepstakes must register by visiting the ABC Board’s website, then selecting the particular limited release event drawing from within the list of available sweepstakes options. The sweepstakes may also be accessed by clicking the “Product Management” button at the top of the home page, then clicking the “Upcoming Events” button, and then “Limited Release Sweepstakes.”

Each person may enter a maximum of one time per sweepstakes. By submitting an entry for any limited release event drawing, the entrant is consenting to accept the position in line at the specific event for which a drawing is taking place.

Online sweepstakes registration opens at 9 a.m. Thursday and will close at 5 p.m. on Aug. 20. Drawings will be conducted on Aug. 21, and all participants will be notified of results via email on Aug. 21.

Registrants must be of legal drinking age. Only current Alabama residents who are at least 21 years of age and have a valid Alabama ID or are active military stationed in Alabama and can provide proof of residency are eligible to participate in a sweepstakes. Alabama ABC Board employees are not eligible to enter. The entry period for this and future sweepstakes will typically be open for 20 days.

Entry periods for any sweepstakes will be announced in stores by the ABC Board in advance of the actual opening of the entry period. A random drawing will be used to select the winning entries, officials said.

The board said any consumer of legal drinking age who wishes to attend the event, and would like to stand in a walk-up line may do so. These lines will begin to form on the day of the event no earlier than 8 am. These lines will be on a first-come, first-served basis. All consumers standing in a walk-up line will be allowed to enter the event after the last verified sweepstakes winner has entered.

Products available on the day of the limited release event will be divided into three different groups. The most highly allocated products will be available in Group 1, and only one item may be purchased from it. A participant may purchase two products from Group 2, but they must be two different products. There will be a limit of two bottles of each product available in Group 3.

For more information on this and future limited release sweepstakes, visit the website.