California's alcohol license regime after Prohibition (1933–1955)
When Prohibition ended in 1933, California built a state licensing system, then created the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control in 1955 to run it.
The state set distinct license classes for different types of sellers.
Today's type 41 (on-sale beer and wine at an eating place) descends directly from that system.
It explains why a neighborhood restaurant needs a state permit at all before it can pour a glass of beer or wine.
