Hard Times With Alcohol

11/24/2006 English German

Edition # 64
San Francisco, 11-24-2006

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Hard Times With Alcohol

Michael Mormons are known for not drinking alcohol or caffeinated beverages. And in the Mormon state of Utah, this religious rule is even self-righteously extended to non-Mormons by the government.

Supermarkets are generally not allowed to sell wine or spirits. Only special liquor stores are permitted to do so, but there are so few of them that we didn't spot a single one during our entire trip. There are only 37 "Full Service Liquor Stores" and 97 "Package Agencies" (with a smaller selection) in the entire state of Utah! In other states, there are also regulations that prohibit the sale of alcohol in supermarkets, but at least there's a liquor store usually right around the corner.

And, even worse: On Sundays, you can't buy beer in the supermarket in Utah at all. Above the beer shelf in a store we visited, the following sign was hanging on Sunday: "The municipal ordinance of XYZ unfortunately prohibits us from selling beer on Sunday. We ask for your understanding." And the foamy throat coolers stood uselessly in the refrigerated shelf all Sunday until the non-Mormons could buy them again on Monday. Because during the week, the Mormon clique generously allows the sale. And in restaurants with the appropriate license, it's still not prohibited, not even on Sunday.

Figure [1]: License to drink: Express membership at Spencer's for 4 dollars.

In Utah, there is a strict distinction between bars and dining establishments. If a place does not serve food, it only receives a license as a "Private Club." In such a club, one must become a "member" before being allowed to enter. This was the case at "Spencer's Steak and Chops," a dining establishment with an attached bar, where Angelika and I obtained a three-week temporary membership for the bargain price of $4, allowing us to try the legendary steaks along with two glasses of wine/beer. The steaks (highly recommended: the 12 oz. New York Strip Steak for $34) were truly excellent, even I, as a grill master, must admit. Overall, Utah has about 300 of these "Private Clubs."

Until recently, it was also illegal in Utah for two alcoholic drinks to be in front of a guest at the same time. For example, if a diner had not yet finished their white wine but had already ordered a red wine for the second course, the waiter had to insist on clearing the white wine glass before placing the red wine glass on the table. However, Utah has become more modern, presumably since the Winter Olympics a few years ago, and this absurd law was abolished. The article "What's up with Utah's liquor laws?" offers an amusing summary of the bizarre situation.

Salt Lake City even featuresthe excellent Brewpub 'Squatters', which brews and serves excellent beer. Beer in Utah can only contain 4% alcohol, while 6% is common in the rest of the country. The labels on the bottles hint with a wink at the precarious situation in the state: The Porter Ale is called 'Polygamy Porter' and likely alludes to some extreme Mormons who marry multiple wives, and the Pilsner is called 'Provo Girl', in reference to the town of Provo near Salt Lake City, where many conservative Mormons live.

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