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SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Senate announced on Monday its intention to allow local grocery stores and convenience stores to sell higher-alcohol beer.
The Republican-controlled body has given its prior approval to a law aimed at increasing the alcohol content from 3.2% to 4.8% by weight of beer sold in Utah's stores. The vote was 21-8. A final vote will be held later this week.
"I argue that the 3.2 responsible drinkers will be responsible in 4.8," said Sen. Jerry Stevenson, R-Layton, sponsor of SB132.
The state has been struggling with this problem for two years as domestic breweries are phasing out beer production at 3.2%.
Utah is one of only two states to have sold lower weight beer after the laws of Oklahoma, Colorado and Kansas change or change over the next few months. The proposed law would still leave Utah with the lowest rate of alcohol for beer.
As state laws change, brewers must decide whether to continue what would be a specialized product for a contracting market. Some products from major beer makers, including Coors and Budweiser, are already disappearing from Utah's shelves.
"It hurts our retail business," Stevenson said during the ground debate on the bill. The bill would come into effect in October when it was passed.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has spoken out against legislation earlier this month.
"The church is opposed to SB132 in its current form, and we, along with other community groups, oppose a law that increases by 50% the alcohol content of the beer sold in the community. grocery stores and convenience stores, "said Marty Stephens, director of church government relations. said in a statement.
Stevenson said after the debate that he was expecting the church to oppose the measure, but what makes or breaks a bill is the number of votes in the Legislative Assembly.
Senator Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, was among those who voted against the measure.
"I think the next step will be to put wine in grocery stores, and you say," Oh, that will not happen. "Mark my words," he said.
Hillyard said allowing a stronger beer in grocery stores and convenience stores would raise "problems" in Utah, especially that young people would have access to more powerful products.
"For my part, I do not want to develop this in this region, I think that people who want alcohol can get some alcohol," he said. "I do not care what other states do."
Senator Don Ipson, R-St. George, said the SB132 was a commercial invoice and not an alcohol bill, pointing out that the increase in alcohol content of a beer can was less than a teaspoon.
"The state of Utah is supposed to be an environment conducive to business," he said. "Let's not tie the hands of 3,000 retail outlets by not leaving them the products they need for the sale of alcohol."
Beer containing 4.8% alcohol is legal and already sold in public liquor stores, said Sen. Scott Sandall, R-Tremonton. He said the question comes down to "not if, but where it is sold and the choice of the consumer," he said.
"I think there is not as much a moral component as some might suggest," he said.
Heavy beers account for about 10% of sales in state liquor stores, but only half of them contain between 3.2% and 4.8% alcohol by volume, Stevenson said. The change in the law would move about half of the beer sold in state stores to grocery stores and convenience stores, he said. DABC, he said, has a lot of other products to occupy this space.
Stevenson estimated that this would slow the growth pattern of state sales of alcohol, which is currently 7% per year to about 5% in the first two years.
Alcohol revenues go to the state's school meals program, to public safety and to the general fund.
Last month, Walmart launched a campaign inviting customers to lobby lawmakers in Utah to offer premium beer in stores.
The retail giant is part of a group of retailers, manufacturers and distributors of beer and trade associations calling themselves the Responsible Beer Choice Coalition, which is putting pressure on the legislature of the United States. Utah to increase the alcohol rate of beer sold in grocery stores and convenience stores. The group described the proposed change as "modest".
In the United States, only 1.8% of brewed beer is made up of 3.2%, Oklahoma consuming 56%, followed by Utah at 29%. Utahns account for less than half a percent of beer drinkers in the United States.
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