RAMP Responsible Alcohol Service Policies and Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Pennsylvania law, which type of drink promotion is prohibited for licensed establishments?
- Two-for-one drink specials (Correct answer)
- Seasonal beer menus
- Non-alcoholic beverage promotions
- Loyalty reward programs for food
Correct answer: Two-for-one drink specials
Pennsylvania law prohibits two-for-one drink specials and other promotions that encourage excessive consumption of alcohol.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of establishing a 'last call' policy in a licensed establishment?
- To increase bar revenue in the final hour
- To allow patrons time to consume remaining drinks before closing
- To give patrons who have been drinking time to metabolize alcohol before leaving (Correct answer)
- To comply with noise ordinance requirements
Correct answer: To give patrons who have been drinking time to metabolize alcohol before leaving
A last call policy helps ensure patrons who have consumed alcohol have adequate time to metabolize some alcohol and make safer transportation decisions before the establishment closes.
Question 3: Which of the following is an acceptable responsible service policy for licensed establishments in Pennsylvania?
- Offering unlimited drinks for a flat fee
- Serving free drinks to designated drivers
- Requiring servers to track the number of drinks served per patron (Correct answer)
- Allowing patrons to bring their own alcohol
Correct answer: Requiring servers to track the number of drinks served per patron
Tracking the number of drinks served per patron is a responsible service policy that helps prevent over-service and supports staff in monitoring intoxication levels.
Question 4: What should an establishment's alcohol service policy include regarding food service?
- Food service is optional and has no bearing on alcohol service
- Encouraging patrons to order food helps slow alcohol absorption and is a best practice (Correct answer)
- Food may only be served with non-alcoholic beverages
- Establishments must refuse alcohol service to patrons who order food
Correct answer: Encouraging patrons to order food helps slow alcohol absorption and is a best practice
Encouraging food consumption alongside alcohol is a responsible service best practice because food in the stomach slows the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream.
Question 5: Under RAMP guidelines, how should an establishment handle a situation where a staff member is unsure whether to serve a patron?
- Always serve the patron to avoid conflict
- Consult the manager or supervisor before serving (Correct answer)
- Ask the patron to prove they are not intoxicated
- Serve one more drink and then reassess
Correct answer: Consult the manager or supervisor before serving
When uncertain about whether to serve a patron, employees should consult their manager or supervisor, who can make a more informed decision as part of the establishment's responsible service policy.
Question 6: Which of the following practices aligns with responsible alcohol service policies regarding drink size?
- Offering larger pours to increase tips
- Consistently measuring and standardizing pour sizes (Correct answer)
- Varying pour sizes based on how much a patron has spent
- Allowing patrons to self-pour from pitchers
Correct answer: Consistently measuring and standardizing pour sizes
Consistently measuring and standardizing pour sizes ensures patrons and servers can accurately track alcohol consumption and supports responsible service practices.
Question 7: What does Pennsylvania's RAMP program require regarding written alcohol service policies?
- Written policies are optional if staff are verbally trained
- Establishments must have written responsible alcohol service policies in place (Correct answer)
- Written policies are only required for establishments with more than 50 employees
- Written policies must be submitted to the PLCB annually
Correct answer: Establishments must have written responsible alcohol service policies in place
RAMP requires participating establishments to have documented, written responsible alcohol service policies that guide staff behavior and demonstrate commitment to responsible service.
RAMP Responsible Alcohol Service Policies and Procedures 1
Under Pennsylvania law, which type of drink promotion is prohibited for licensed establishments?