The West Virginia Legislature created the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commission ("WVABCC") in 1935 (See W.Va. Const. Art. IV §46 and W.Va. Code §60-1-1 et seq.) The WVABCC was organized to give effect to the mandate of the people expressed in the repeal of the state prohibition amendment, and to assure the greatest degree of personal freedom that is consistent with the health, safety, and good morals of the people of West Virginia. During the WVABCC's first 56 years of existence, the WVABCC functioned as the exclusive wholesaler and retailer of liquor in West Virginia; non-fortified wines were "privatized" in 1981. With the repeal of Prohibition, the three-tier system of distribution was established in West Virginia. This distribution format regulates the three tiers: manufacturer, wholesaler and licensed retailer. Laws, rules and regulations provide protection for each tier. Fairness and equality are the overriding principles by eliminating connection between the tiers. In 1937, the term nonintoxicating beer was enacted which would allow for the product to be consumed in public. At conception, the authority to regulate beer was the responsibility of the State Tax Commissioner. In 1945, the West Virginia Nonintoxicating Beer Commission was established to regulate and enforce beer laws. The Nonintoxicating Beer Commission was a stand-alone independent agency until it merged with the West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Commission in 1990 to form a united West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (“WVABCA”) with a single Commissioner over all aspects of the alcohol industry in West Virginia.