Senate moves forward on beverage‑control bill defining flavored malt beverages and updating rules

Senator Bramble presented Second Substitute Senate Bill 211 on Feb. 25, a comprehensive beverage control measure that defines flavored malt beverages (commonly called alcopops) and updates Utah's alcohol‑sale rules.

Sponsor Bramble told the Senate the substitute clarifies that beverages containing distilled spirits are to be sold in liquor stores while beer may remain available in grocery stores. It sets labeling standards for flavored malt beverages, reduces allowable mixed‑drink total pours (a 1.5‑ounce primary pour with up to a 1‑ounce flavoring for 2.5 ounces total and elimination of a "sidecar"), and revises proximity and variance rules by eliminating a 200‑foot variance while grandfathering existing establishments.

The sponsor noted the bill also requires local community location boards (defined in the bill to include churches, libraries, parks) to approve proximity variances and that the drafting attorney had identified technical editorial issues in a bill of roughly 178 pages. The Senate voted to read the substitute for third time and move forward; sponsor warned additional technical and drafting corrections may be offered on third reading.

Under the Senate procedure, the bill received 22 yes votes and 7 no votes on the question to read for third time and proceed; the measure will be considered on third reading with potential technical amendments.