(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), a wholesaler or manufacturer, or any successor thereto, may accept the return of beer purchased from that wholesaler, manufacturer, or successor thereto, as follows:

1. (1)

   1. (A) From a seasonal or temporary licensee if at the termination of the period of the license the seasonal or temporary licensee has beer remaining unsold, or from an annual licensee operating on a temporary basis if at the termination of the temporary period the annual licensee has beer remaining unsold.
   2. (B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), an annual licensee shall be considered to be operating on a temporary basis if the licensee operates at seasonal resorts, including summer and winter resorts, or at sporting or entertainment facilities, including racetracks, arenas, concert halls, and convention centers. Temporary status shall be deemed terminated when operations cease for 15 days or more. No wholesaler or manufacturer, or successor thereto, shall accept the return of beer from an annual licensee considered to be operating on a temporary basis unless the licensee notifies that wholesaler or manufacturer, or successor thereto, within 15 days of the date the licensee’s operations ceased.

2. (2)

   1. (A) Subject to subparagraph (B), a wholesaler or manufacturer, or any successor thereto, may, with department approval, accept the return of a brand of beer discontinued in a California market area or a seasonal brand of beer from a retail licensee, provided that the beer is exchanged for a quantity of beer of similar quality of a brand produced or sold by the same manufacturer, or of another manufacturer if the original manufacturer has ceased doing business, with a value no greater than the original sales price to the retail licensee of the returned beer. For purposes of this subparagraph, “seasonal brand of beer” means a brand of beer, as defined in Section 23006, that is brewed by a manufacturer to recognize a season or a holiday and is so identified by appropriate product packaging and labeling.
   2. (B) A discontinued brand of beer may not be reintroduced for a period of 12 months in the same California market area in which a return and exchange of that beer as described in subparagraph (A) has taken place. A seasonal brand of beer may not be reintroduced for a period of six months in the same California market area in which a return and exchange of that beer as described in subparagraph (A) has taken place.

(e)

1. (1) Notwithstanding the 15-day time limit for the return of beer described in subdivision (a), beer that is recalled or that is considered by a manufacturer, importer, or governmental entity to present health, safety, or product quality issues if distributed, offered for sale, or sold in the state may be accepted for return at anytime from a retailer and be picked up by the seller of beer. The seller of beer may exchange the returned beer for identical product, if safe inventory or quality-controlled product inventory is available, issue a deferred exchange memorandum showing the beer was picked up and is to be replaced when inventory is available, or issue a credit memorandum to the retailer for the returned beer. The seller of beer may exchange with the manufacturer or importer the returned beer and the seller of beer’s inventory that was recalled or considered to present health, safety, or product quality issues. The returned beer may be exchanged for identical product, if safe inventory or quality-controlled product inventory is available, or the seller of beer may elect to receive either a refund from or be issued a credit memorandum by the manufacturer or importer for the returned beer and seller of beer’s inventory that was recalled or considered to present health, safety, or product quality issues.
2. (2) Returns for manufacturer or importer product quality issues pursuant to this subdivision are subject to department approval, and shall not include the return of beer due to the aging of beer.

(g)

1. (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), an on-sale retail licensee that purchases beer for sale at an event for which a catering authorization is issued by the department pursuant to Section 23399 may return the unused and unopened beer to the original selling licensee at the conclusion of the catered event or upon expiration of the catering authorization, provided the beer was purchased for use or sale only at that event and the on-sale retail licensee does not also provide any beer for use or sale at the event from its permanent licensed premises. The on-sale retail licensee holding the catering authorization shall record and maintain a record of the inventory of all unused and unopened beer to be returned at the conclusion of the catering event. The original selling licensee shall prepare an invoice to reflect the returned beer that shall reference the original sales invoice and shall provide the on-sale retail licensee holding the catering authorization with a copy of the invoice.
2. (2) Any beer returned pursuant to this subdivision must be returned to the original selling licensee at the conclusion of the catered event or upon expiration of the catering authorization. The original selling licensee may credit the account of the on-sale retail licensee in an amount not to exceed the original sales price of the returned beer, provided the beer has been paid for in full.