The Snowbird Oktoberfest Fiasco, Gets a Hearing

A few weeks ago we told you about the Utah DABC's renewed focus on how they would start dealing with single event permits that serve beer, wine and liquor. Basically the DABC stated that the intent of the rules for the single event permits were for non-profit orginazations only and that they would start to more closely scrutinize those "for profit" entities seeking permits.

The story went international, Utah was once again that "weird little freak show" in the west that was taking a microscopic non-issue and blowing it up into an economic catastrophe. Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, wants answers and is bring lawmakers to Utah's Capitol Hill where the Administrative Rules Committee will meet with DABC's Executive Director Salvador Petilos, to discuss what is termed “change in permit review practice.”

Dabakis says, the bad PR has hurt Utah’s economic development and tourism and that this latest fiasco about "no beer at Oktoberfest" follows on the heels of the ridiculed "Intent to Dine" requirement from earlier in the year. Debakis went on stating, "These are not laws, they do not make us safer, they are just weird interpretations of rules made by DABC that make Utah look weird.”

This morning's Administrative Rules Committee meeting is open to the public and will start at 9:00am in the House of Representative's Building - room 30. If you can attend, I urge you to show up and chime in.

We'll try to get you the highlights from the meeting asap.

Cheers.

Pictured above: DABC Director Salvador Petilos - Courtesy Salt Lake Tribune