Friday`s repeal of beer law 3.2 paves the way for a number of consumer beers (as well as craft beers) to finally escape the limitations of liquor stores and offer brands like Bud Light and Coors Light, both 4.2% ABV, in grocery stores with their regular receipts. New liquor laws in Utah were passed on November 1, 2019. This time, he was in favor of easier access to a slightly higher percentage of beer. At the urging of beer vendors and consumers, Utah has updated the alcohol content of beer served on tap and in grocery stores/convenience stores from 4% to 5%. This seemingly minor change actually opened the door to a much wider selection of beers in local shops. High-strength beers still require a trip to the liquor store, but many favorite big brands have since been available in their unchanged form. In fact, Budweiser was so happy with the change that they brought the Clydesdales into town to give the 4% beer a public funeral procession. The same goes for bars and pubs – the maximum strength of draft beer is 5% ABV. You can find a stronger beer in a bottle, but don`t expect it from the tap. Some alcohol laws in Utah are like everywhere else. Only adults of legal age can order and consume beer, wine and alcohol in bars, pubs and restaurants, and – you guessed it – this legal age is 21. These are the unique aspects of Utah`s alcohol laws that need to be explained a bit. Home to a large Mormon population that abstains completely from alcohol, the state still accounts for less than half a percent of all beer drinkers in America.
But for big brewers like Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors, producing 3.2 beers for states like Utah has become increasingly time-consuming and expensive. The roots of this low-alcohol beer go back to the “little beers” of the Middle Ages, unfiltered alternatives to the contaminated water of the time. These were cheaper alternatives to the full-strength beers used in celebrations at the time and something that was often served to children and servants. And after 86 years, Utah`s Beer Act 3.2 finally ended in 2019. All beers up to 5% alcohol by volume (ABV) are now sold in grocery stores and convenience stores. Utah laws prohibit supermarkets operating in the state from selling only packaged beer up to 5.0% ABV (or 4.0% alcohol by weight); Beer containing more than this quantity (as well as alcohol and wine) can only be sold in state-controlled liquor stores. [27] On November 1, 2019, the law increased the alcohol content allowed in beers to 5.0% (or 4.0% alcohol weight) after adopting utah SB 132 in March 2019. [28] The bill originally proposed an ABW of 4.8%, but was rejected by local breweries because the arbitrary border seemed to favor major national brands. [29] Have you ever heard the rumor that there is only Lite beer in Utah? That`s not true. The hive state considers the alcohol content of beverages as a function of weight. As Gastronomic SLC explains, 3.2 by weight equals 4% by volume – so Guinness is usually 4.2%. If you`re in a Utah grocery store, the maximum strength of the beer you can find is 5%.
(Updated 08/21/2020 – American Craft Beer is embarrassing to admit that we misunderstood the date of this transition. Utah ended its restrictions on low-alcohol beer in November 2019.) If you like cocktails and spirits, you`ll notice that Utah pours its blows through a device called The Berg, which is mandatory by state law. The Berg helps bartenders pour accurate shots of 1.5 ounces of “primary liquor” into a blended beverage (up to 2.5 ounces in total), meaning your cocktails may not hit as hard as in other states. Still, you`ll find plenty of delicious, expertly crafted cocktails in Utah. You can visit several new and established local distillers who make almost anything you could wish for. Just one example is the nationally distributed High West Whiskeys (in Park City) that takes you back to the old west with every sip. (Check out other distilleries in Utah Spirits Tour or on the visitutah.com distillery page.) If you want to bring alcohol – packaged liquor, flavored malt drinks, wine and heavy beer – you`ll need to visit the nearest State Liquor Stories and Package agencies. To find the nearest one, visit the DABC website. Don`t worry if you can`t find beer in a cooler — the state`s new liquor store in Taylorsville is the exception here. Liquor stores are the only places where consumers can buy vodka, whiskey, rum and other distilled spirits. They are also the only places to buy wine or beer that has more than 5% ABV.
The only exception? Utah`s licensed distilleries are allowed to sell their products directly to consumers. (You can even do this on Sundays when state-run liquor stores are closed.) Since 1935, Utah`s liquor industry (all but 4.0% beer) has been controlled by the state`s liquor stores. [10] But you`d better stick to beer. The distillation of spirits in your home is prohibited by federal law. Grocery stores and convenience stores: You can buy beer with an alcohol content of 5% every day of the week at most grocery stores and convenience stores. In addition to these locations, parcel stores across the state (there are more than 100) sell a selection of beer, wine, and spirits. There are also three specialty wine stores in downtown Salt Lake City that sell wine, beer, and spirits with limited production with a diverse and ever-changing selection. The bars can serve all kinds of alcohol from 10:00 to 12:59. Taverns can sell beer from 10:00 to 12:59. Utah residents and long-time visitors will remember the days of the “private club” when Utah bars had to charge coverage or membership fees. Currently, establishments are classified as restaurants, bars or clubs, and each has a different set of rules regarding alcohol. “Fun” means something different for everyone.
For some it`s about exploring the mountain trails, for others it`s about live music and beer. Salt Lake City`s calendar of events is full of fun things for all inclinations, every day and every night of the week. Although you only find 5% alcohol per volume of beer on tap, drinks of any percentage are available in bottles, and takeaway beers of all percentages are also offered in bottles and cans at some breweries. No one under the age of 21 is allowed to stay at a licensed Utah bar, so families should be prepared to look for food elsewhere.