Alcohol laws of Utah
The alcohol laws of Utah regulate the selling and purchasing of alcohol in the United States state of Utah. A person must be 21 years old to buy or consume alcohol.[1] The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (UDABC) has regulated the sale of alcoholic beverages since 1935, two years after the end of prohibition.[2] Utah is one of 18 control states, meaning the state has a monopoly over the wholesaling and/or retailing of some or all categories of alcoholic beverages.[3]
Current Utah law sets a limit of 3.2 percent alcohol by weight (4 percent by volume) in beer sold at grocery and convenience stores and at establishments operating under a "beer only" type license, such as taverns, beer bars and some restaurants.[4] Beer over 3.2 percent by weight (4 percent by volume) is available in State Liquor Stores and Package Agencies and at clubs and restaurants licensed to sell liquor.[1][4] In commercial facilities, the time at which alcohol may be served is limited, and alcohol may not be sold any later than 1 AM under any circumstance.[1]
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[edit] Background
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which a majority of Utahns belong[5], teaches its members against the consumption of alcohol.[6] Because of this traditional Mormon belief and the large population of Mormons in Utah, the alcohol laws of Utah have generally been strict.[4]
[edit] 2002 Winter Olympic Games
During the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (UDABC) relaxed enforcement of Utah's alcohol laws. This helped lead to less restrictive laws that came into effect in May 2003.[7] This came after complaints, particularly after an incident in which an International Olympic Committee official complained.[8]
[edit] 2009 efforts for reform
Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. (in office 2005-2009), a member of LDS church, had been a proponent of loosening of alcohol laws. He believed reform would be favorable to the state's tourism industry.[9][10]
These changes turned out to be favorable to Utah, especially during ski season. Perhaps the most popular among tourists and locals was the 2009 disbanding of private clubs. Effective in June 2009, bars and clubs were no longer required to charge a cover, or a membership fee, which made liquor more accessible to tourists and locals alike.
Even though homebrewing of beer and wine had been popular for many years in Utah, with multiple retail and even wholesale outlets for purchasing supplies, and ingredients, there was no law forbidding it or allowing it on the books. In March 2009, homebrewing for the citizens of the state was made legal.[11]
[edit] Current Utah Laws as of November 2011
These are the current laws according to the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Link to Current Laws. These laws include restaurants and clubs being prohibited from serving beer until 11:30AM and not after 1:00AM. As you will see from the link above, restaurants either have full or limited liquor licenses which makes a difference to some when deciding where to have dinner or get drinks.
[edit] Criticism
Critics have derided the state's strict laws as "irrational."[12]
Other critics have said that it is a challenge for new bars to even obtain a liquor license. [13]
[edit] Public opinion
According to a survey conducted by the Mormon sponsored media outlet Deseret News in 2005, the majority of Utahns support the current alcohol laws. 70 percent support the current 3.2 percent alcohol limit, and one third believe the laws are too restrictive.[14]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Liquor Laws Affecting Residents and Visitors. Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Accessed 2 February 2009.
- ^ About DABC. Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Accessed 2 February 2009.
- ^ Lythgoe, Dennis (21-22 March, 1991). "Confused about Utah's liquor laws? Here's a timely explanation". Deseret News. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IxIPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YYQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2395,3033769&dq=alcohol+laws+of+utah. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
- ^ a b c Chang, Vanessa (25 January 2009). "Brew Pubs Gain an Unlikely Following in Utah". NYT. http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/01/25/travel/25journeys.html?ref=travel. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
- ^ "Records: Percentage of Mormons in Utah declines". AZ Central. Nov. 20, 2008. http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/11/20/20081120fewer-mormons1120-ON.html. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
- ^ Hinckley, Gordon B.. Words of the Prophet: The Body Is Sacred. New Era (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). Published 2–5 Nov 2006. Accessed 10 February 2009.
- ^ Kerig, Bill (29 October 2003). "What's up with Utah's liquor laws?". USATODAY.com. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/cityguides/saltlakecity/2003-10-07-spotlight-liquor_x.htm. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
- ^ Olympics Dry As A Bone. CBS News. Accessed 10 February 2009.
- ^ Bernick Jr., Bob; Lisa Riley Roche (1 February 2009). "Hughes charging into the fray for Huntsman liquor bill". Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705281892,00.html. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
- ^ Pyrah, Joe (25 January 2009). "Taxes, liquor laws on the docket for 2009 Legislature". Daily Herald. http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/297373/. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
- ^ "Utah legalizes homebrewing". Wikinews. 29 March 2009. http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Utah_legalizes_homebrewing. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
- ^ Mathur, Vijay K. (30 May 2008). "Utah's alcohol laws are irrational". Standard.net. http://www.standard.net/live/opinion/topofutahvoices/134183/.
- ^ Whitney Evans, NPR News, August 12, 2011
- ^ Spangler, Jerry (8 December 2005). "Utahns don't support looser state liquor laws, group says". Deseret News. http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,635167477,00.html. Retrieved 10 February 2009.
