JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow Alaska distilleries to sell directly to consumers.
House Bill 309 would also allow the distilleries to act more like breweries and offer samples during tours.
The bill from Rep. Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, is aimed at improving tourism at the handful of distilleries in Alaska, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported (https://is.gd/B3zMlg).
“We’re really kind of an agricultural product that we’re making, and it’s more an artisanal sort of thing so allowing us to engage our customers better will really help us out,” said Ursa Major Distilling owner Rob Borland.
The Fairbanks man said current law hinders his ability to connect with consumers in a meaningful way, especially when compared to how breweries are allowed to operate.
“Right now, we’re pretty limited in what we can do. We can just sell to someone who has a liquor license already,” he said. “We never get that face-to-face thing that you get at a farmers’ market.”
In an ideal situation he said the bill would allow his distillery to grow and expand into a larger facility - one that would allow him to attract customers with tours.
Under Tuck’s bill, distilleries would be allowed to sell as much as a gallon of alcohol for off-premises consumption. It could also sell or offer samples of as much as 3 ounces on site.
The bill advanced from the House Labor and Commerce committee and awaits debate on the House floor, but its chances of passing seem thin.
But Borland said any action on the bill this year only lays the groundwork for passage next year.
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Information from: Fairbanks (Alaska) Daily News-Miner, https://www.newsminer.com
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