Utah Committee Approves Bill to Allow Tastings at Distilleries

Utah in one of only four states left in the U.S. that still does not allow tastings or samples to be served at distilleries. Utah’s brewery’s and winery’s have been able to serve tastings of their products at their place of business for years. It’s now time to extend that right to distillers.

Representative Gage Froerer (R) introduced the H.B. 228 Alcohol Modifications bill to extend that right to distillers. After the reading and with a few minor amendments the House Business and Labor Committee unanimously approved the bill 12 – 0. The bill now moves to the full House for approval.

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“Most people are not going to spend $100 to $300 on a product without knowing what they’re buying,” the sponsor of HB228, Rep. Gage Froerer, R-Huntsville, said, noting that few would buy a new flavor of ice cream without trying a sample.

“Let’s let this industry do what industries do best, which is serve their customer” ~ Representative Gage Froerer

What Does HB 228 Mean for Distilleries?

• Distilleries can serve samples to guests of drinking age
• A sample or taste means distillers can serve up to 2.5 ounces of spirits. (5 ounces of wine for a winery and 16 ounces of beer for a brewery.)
• The distillery must have a variety of food available that is prepared and served on the licensed premises to an individual consuming a taste.
• One tasting per 24 hour period
• Distilleries must have public liability insurance in an amount and form satisfactory to the department
• Can only serve between 11am and midnight.
• The server must complete an alcohol training and education seminar before they can serve
• The tasting area cannot allow minors and must be out of view from minors
• Warning signs must be in place stating:
  • Drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy can cause birth defects and permanent brain damage for the child.
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious crime that is prosecuted aggressively in Utah.

You can read the complete text of H.B. 228 Alcohol Modification February 9, 2016 here. And, if you really want to learn more about your government in action, you can listen to the committee meeting here.

You can learn more about the distilleries in Utah by visiting the Distillery Trail Distillery Directory here.

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