Gov. Fallin signs bill to allow breweries to provide free samples
By SCOTT CHERRY World Restaurant Critic on Apr 23, 2013, at 2:28 AM Updated on 4/23/13 at 8:08 AM
Oklahoma breweries will legally be allowed to provide free samples to the public beginning in November. CHRISTOPHER SMITH / Tulsa World file
Food
It's apple season again, one of the few times of the year I'm sorry I live in the city, without a car. If only I lived near an orchard, I'd pick my own apples and be happy.
Word has it that OK+ (in excess of 3.2) Budweiser is coming to a liquor store near you.
As anticipated, Gov. Mary Fallin signed into law Monday a bill that will allow Oklahoma breweries to provide free samples to the public.
The bill, HB 1341, passed the state Senate 35-9 last week and the House by a 60-32 vote in February. The measure is expected to become effective Nov. 1.
Similar bills had been submitted twice in the past but failed. This time it moved through the process rather easily.
"I can't explain that, but for me, it was a common-sense business bill," said Rep. Glen Mulready, R-Tulsa, co-author of the measure with Sen. Rob Johnson, R-Yukon. "It was a bill to help small businesses.
"It also was a common-sense tourism bill. When the foodies and beer crowd travel around the country, they expect to be able to visit the breweries in the different states. This gives us a chance to open that up a little more.
"Some people think I'm on some sort of crusade to change the liquor laws in the state, but that's not my agenda. This bill has some strict controls."
The measure allows licensed brewers to serve free samples of beer produced by them to visitors 21 years old or older, with a maximum amount of 12 ounces a day to individual visitors.
The breweries also will have to designate a restricted area in the brewery specifically for the tasting samples, and samples can be distributed only between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Supporters of the bill have contended it levels the playing field between beer and wine producers in the state.
Wineries already were allowed to hand out free samples.
Original Print Headline: Breweries win as Fallin signs samples bill
Food
It's apple season again, one of the few times of the year I'm sorry I live in the city, without a car. If only I lived near an orchard, I'd pick my own apples and be happy.
Word has it that OK+ (in excess of 3.2) Budweiser is coming to a liquor store near you.
