Medford liquor board takes beer hall case under advisement

Liquor License Commission · Meeting of September 16, 2026

Medford liquor board defers ruling on beer hall after teen's hospitalization. Commission Chairman Robert Delefano and Commissioner Alan Latarana heard a Medford Police sergeant's report that a 19-year-old, identified as Arisha Bassnet, was hospitalized for intoxication after a June 24 World Cup watch party at Great American Beer Hall, then took the matter under advisement without a vote. Owner Brian Zaffer said the bar overhauled its policies the next morning, adding wristbands for under-21 patrons and barring anyone under 21 after 7 p.m., telling commissioners, "We knew that these parties were going to get bigger and bigger as they went." The sergeant, citing the bar's seven-day video retention, admitted he failed to request footage that could have confirmed how the teen obtained her drinks.

Separately, the commission unanimously approved eight one-day and license-amendment requests, including a beer garden for the city's Harvest Your Energy Festival, a chamber of commerce Oktoberfest, four Arts Collaborative Medford fundraisers, and a relocation for Medford Cappy's Inc. to 50 Station Landing.

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Source: the Liquor License Commission meeting of September 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.