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SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would allow liquor distilleries in the state to offer tastings to customers was approved Monday by the House Business and Labor Committee.
"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.
"We have hamstrung these manufacturers because we have not allowed anyone to come in and taste their product," Froerer said, even though the distilleries are package agencies that can sell on site.
Froerer said the bill would treat distilleries the same as wineries and breweries when it comes to providing a taste of their products. He said the bill limits the amount of alcohol provided and requires a "variety of food" to be available.
The tasting is done "in a very controlled way," Froerer told the committee. "Nobody is going to go into these manufacturers with the idea they're going to have a good time and get drunk off a tasting."
Nina McDermott, the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control's director of compliance and licensing enforcement, said the agency views the bill as "cleanup" legislation.
McDermott said the department is "satisfied controls are in place" under the bill.
The bill was approved by the committee 12-0 and now goes to the full House.
— Lisa Riley Roche Email: lroche@ksl.com Twitter: DNewsPolitics
