Posted by: Christopher Werner on Nov 09, 2011 at 09:33AM0 Comments
Voters approve 1183, bringing booze to grocery stores starting in June. Photo courtesy chicagonow.com.
Weeks ago the polls had I-1183 retaining a slight edge among Washingtonians, and on Tuesday the liquor privatization bill maintained that lead. The measure passed with 60 percent of the vote.
Under the Costco-backed bill—campaigning for which topped out at over $22 million—Washington State will no longer have a role in the booze business. Private retailers larger than 10,000 square feet will take over sales of hard liquor. According to the Seattle Times the number of merchants expected to sell spirits will jump from 328 to 1,428. Nine hundred state workers—the majority of them employees of state-operated stores—are expected to lose their jobs as a result of the switchover, the Times also reported.
Independent retailers will begin shelving liquor on June 1, 2012.
Half of the respondents are likely to support the liquor privatization measure.
Posted by: Christopher Werner on Nov 02, 2011 at 09:09AM5 Comments
I-1183 retains a slight edge among voters, according to the Washington Poll.
On Monday the Washington Poll, the survey wonk based out of UW, released stats from an analysis of just over 930 Evergreen voters. Among the findings: half of the respondents are leaning toward spendy liquor privatization measure 1183 (more on the Costco-backed I-1183 here). Forty-three percent are against it, and seven percent remain undecided.
Meanwhile, in recent days a slew of statewide orgs have come out voicing their opposition to the initiative, including the public health, medical, and nurses associations and International Community Health Services. Governor Gregoire has also naysaid the measure.
A sampling of answers from spirit makers around Washington.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Oct 06, 2011 at 11:49AM0 Comments
A test still at Sun Liquor distillery
Photo: Jessica Voelker
As part of an upcoming project, Seattle Met intern Brian Colella and I asked licensed Washington distilleries about their opinions regarding the Costco-backed liquor privatization measure I-1183, upon which Washingtonians will vote this November.
Many distilleries mentioned their concern about the initiative’s stipulation that a retailer “must have ten thousand square feet or more of fully enclosed retail space within a single structure in order to get a license to sell liquor, with limited exceptions.”
We asked the distillers: “Do you or would you support liquor privatization initiative 1183?” (Anonymity was promised).
Here is a sampling of their answers:
“The 10,000 square foot rule is the main problem with this initiative.”
“I’m ambivalent. One downside is the 10,000 square foot minimum retail license rule who prohibit any small new specialty liquor stores from being able to open. More so than grocery stores, it’s the specialty stores that will be interested in stocking our product.”
“Clearly this initiative is not to allow privatization for the sake of getting the state out of the business, but….to allow a few private big fish to take over.”
" …much of the advertising against the initiative is based on red herrings about teen access to alcohol rather than the real issues. The actual proposal is more about who controls and profits from sales, and this measure differs from last year’s in having more language about alcohol law enforcement and about ensuring state revenues. However, the 10,000 square foot requirement is odd on its face…."
“We are undecided at this time.”
“I’d rather see the current system restructured as opposed to putting the distribution into the hands of a few private entities. Tiny distilleries aren’t likely to have the same access that they currently enjoy through the WSLCB.”
Poppy’s popular tender moves on, Utah says no more chubbies….
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Sep 22, 2011 at 11:49AM0 Comments
Rachel’s Ginger Beer owner Rachel Marshall will make her spicy brew in the space behind the Buck, currently being converted into a dive bar called Montana.
Photo: Rachel’s Ginger Beer via Facebook
Lots of booze-related news both national and local. Let’s get to it.
NATIONAL
We begin in California where, about two years ago, the ABC started enforcing the state’s ban on spirits infusions as more and more of these started showing up in cocktail bars. Now, however, tenders are free to infuse away, SFist reports.
Meanwhile, Utah moves in the opposite direction, tightening its already-tough alcohol rules. USA Today reports a one-year freeze on hard-liquor licenses for Utah restaurants, and a ban on the mini kegs known as chubbies (full-size kegs were already verboten). Side note: I am now totally obsessed with the term “Zion curtain.”
LOCAL
On Slog, Seattle Nightlife and Music Association president and Red Door owner Peter Hanning makes the case for liquor privatization initiative 1183. Earlier this week Publicola reported that funds raised for and against the initiative, which will be on the ballot this November, already add up to $11.1 million.
In August, Eater Seattle’s Allecia Vermillion, noting that the Triple Door was the latest in a slew of Seattle restaurants to introduce a custom-beer collaboration, asked if a trend was not afoot. Glenn Drosendahl at the Puget Sound Business Journal took that idea and ran with it this week.
Also, big bar news for Capitol Hill: CHS blog got the scoop on Montana, the new bar that will replace the Buck on Olive Way. A partner in the project is Rachel Marshall of Rachel’s Ginger Beer, a soda that has sent a number of local food writers into a fizzy ginger-induced tizzy.
Meanwhile, Poppy’s beloved cocktail mixer Veronika Groth told Sauced that she is moving on to Chino’s, a new bar/casual eats destination taking over the space that once housed Oasis Cafe.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Sep 21, 2011 at 10:17AM0 Comments
Here’s Britney at a liquor store with her sunglasses on. (“So, lahk, y’all can’t recognize me and stuff.”)
A month and a half ahead of Election Day, and total moneys raised on both sides of liquor privatization are already approaching last year’s numbers, Publicola reported Tuesday.
The deep-pocketed, private-liquor-initiative-loving Costco has contributed five million dollars to the cause, about 96 percent of total funds raised in favor of I-1183, the privatization initiative upon which we will vote this November.
But Protect Our Communities—that’s what the anti-privatization people are calling themselves—beat out the big-box chain, raising $6.1 million via contributions from interested parties like Hood River Distillers and Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America.
So together, that adds up to 11.1 million bucks spent for and against privatization this year so far. The total amount raised last year to promote and defeat Costco’s I-1100 was $15 million.
Lots of booze-enhanced events over the next seven days.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Sep 16, 2011 at 01:54PM0 Comments
Watch badass Benicio whilst drinking beer at Lot No 3 tonight, beginning at 10pm.
Hey Bellevue, how many beers can you drink in 122 minutes? That’s the running time of Steven Soderbergh’s Traffic, the film on the docket this week at Lot No 3 in Bellevue. The whiskey-and-beer bar offers up a film along with a late-night snacking menu each Monday. Two beers and a soft pretzel will run you $10. One beer and a slider is $6.
Wednesday the 21st brings us a Think and Drink happy hour at Naked City in Greenwood. The topic is liquor laws—upon which we will once again be voting this November. His Abruptness Steve Scher, host of KUOW’s Weekday, moderates; William Rorabaugh, UW prof and author of The Alcoholic Republic will also be weighing in, as will bowtie-donning Pike Brewing founder Charles Finkel. This event is free.
Friday, October 23 through Sunday the 25th, catch a beer buzz in the center of the universe at Fremont’s always-sloshy Oktoberfest. Speaking of Ocktoberfest, Beveridge Place Pub. is making like Munich by serving Spaten, Paulaner, and Hofbrau in one liter mugs through October 3.
Also on the 23rd: the bar at Ponti Seafood Grill will be mixing up the hot-and-boozy variety of beverage at a $2 discount. The deal is available only in the lounge.
Get ready for familiar arguments for and against liquor privatization.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Sep 08, 2011 at 10:00AM1 Comments
As you have likely heard by now, Costco’s back with a new initiative, I-1183, aimed at kicking the state out of the booze business.
In the new privatization plan, only retailers larger than 10,000 square feet would be eligible to sell spirits. Licensed private distributors would take over the state-run system, paying the state 10 percent of their gross spirit revenues in their first two years of operation and five percent after that. Retail outlets and distribution facilities would be auctioned off to private bidders.
Like Costco’s 2010 initiative I-1100, I-1183 also proposes removing the ban on bulk discounts currently imposed on wineries and wine retailers.
Expect extensive coverage of this sticky spirits situation here on Sauced. Meantime, enjoy the ad, one of the first in what is certain to be a barrage of misleading messages on both sides of the issue.
The Seattle P.I.brings word
that starting Friday, July 1, all 166 Washington State liquor stores will keep the same hours. Those hours: 10am through 9pm Monday through Thursday and 10am through 10pm Friday and Saturday. There are 58 stores that sell booze on Sundays—even though God or Jesus or someone hates that, at least that’s what I was told growing up in a blue law state. Those will be open from 12pm to 5pm.
The news comes as Costco is revving up its privatization campaign—word on the street is that employees of the big box chain have once again been tasked with collecting initiative signatures in stores. Meanwhile, Governor Gregoire has allowed the liquor control board to explore opportunities to turn over its distribution system to a private bidder.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on May 24, 2011 at 12:00AM0 Comments
Skinny Girl Margarita on shelves at the big boxes? Yes, if Costco has its way.
photo: portfolio.com
Liquor privatization is back: A new initiative filed Friday by Costco and friends proposes that only big-old retail operations—those covering more than 10,000 square feet—be eligible to sell liquor.
This is clearly a response to the anti-privatization campaign last November that focused on the dangers of selling booze at gas stations and convenience stores.
On Saturday, the State senate passed a measure (brokered by Republican Senator Joe Zarelli) allowing the WSLCB to solicit bids from private contractors interested in taking over distribution of booze. The plan is to put the feelers out and see what kind of money can be made by leasing it out. It’s just a toe dip towards privatization, really, but if it turns out the cash is there it could mean major changes in the way liquor makes it way to restaurants, bars and retailers.
Complicated stuff, this. If you find yourself wanting to know more, you can head to Liberty Bar on Capitol Hill this Sunday, May 29. At 12:30pm the bar will host a meeting to discuss the pros and cons of possible changes to our liquor laws.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Mar 31, 2011 at 08:19AM0 Comments
Quarter ounce samples (much smaller than these guys) are okayed for state liquor stores.
Photo courtesy: Bartendingbasics.com
Washington’s state senate passed a bill on Wednesday, March 30 allowing samples in state liquor stores, according to the Seattle Times.
As when wine and beer samples were okayed for grocery and specialty stores in 2009, the liquor control board is now tasked with running a pilot program. The plan is to try out samples in 30 stores state-wide.
“Samples would be allowed no more than once a week at each store,” reports the Times’ Queenie Wong, “and each sample would not exceed a quarter ounce. Customers under the age of 21 years old and those intoxicated would not be allowed to sample spirits. The board would report on the pilot program to the Legislature by December 2012.”
This February, state reps passed a similar bill allowing beer and wine samples in farmers markets. All of these measures are obviously positive steps for those trying to sell alcoholic products, but what’s particularly promising about the liquor sample measure is that it acknowledges spirits as products to be appreciated and evaluated rather than simply controlled. We don’t see that a lot with the hard stuff.
Different initiatives, same issue. Privatization is back, baby.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Mar 22, 2011 at 01:48PM1 Comments
Katherine Heigl likes her booze the way she likes her men: strong and private*
*I don’t know if anything in that sentence is true.
Photo Courtesy: celebritydis.com
Here we go again. There are two new liquor-privatization ideas floating around in anticipation of the fall ballot next year.
Conservative blogger Stefan Sharkansky, who worked on I-1000,* filed a new initiative on March 18. It proposes, among other things, that only stores that haven’t had a public safety violation in five years be allowed to sell liquor. (As you’ll recall, the anti-privatization people were very successful at scaring the bejesus out of our citizenry about what calamities might ensue should spirits be sold outside the purview of state stores. This part of Sharkansky’s initiative addresses those fears.)
Tacoma businessman Tom Luce, meanwhile, has come up with another privatization idea: private distributors bid to partner with the state “to the tune of $300 million,” reports the Seattle PI.
I’ll be writing more as all this progresses, if for no other reason than it gives me an excuse to post pictures of celebrities in liquor stores. Celebrities in liquor stores! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay.
From Boardwalk Empire to the fluorescent-lit aisles of your local liquor store, these are the booziest bummers of the year.
Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Dec 10, 2010 at 10:00AM4 Comments
Frat-tastic and LogorificBrew Masters falls flat.
5. Boardwalk Empire is not about Prohibition’s effect on drinking culture.
Don’t get me wrong. Boardwalk Empire is good television—and the design and costumes are out of this world. Steve Buscemi is too reined in, and I’d love it if the show would zoom in on the characters a little bit more. The only one we truly glimpse up close is the self-flagellating Agent Nelson Van Alden. But still, great actors doing great acting. You can’t argue with that.
My disappointment with Boardwalk Empire is that we don’t really learn much about drinking culture during prohibition. We see rich people got to keep drinking what they wanted, for the most part, with a hiccup here and there. That’s good to know, but what about everybody else? What were they drinking? How did prohibition alter the tastes of the middle and poor classes? Where did they party? Was there an effort to pretend they had stopped drinking? How did basement distillers source their ingredients? I know that Martin Scorsese is a busy man but I have questions, and Boardwalk Empire isn’t answering them.
4. The Four Loko ban missed the point entirely.
The Four Loko story is the perfect parable for our culture’s dysfunctional relationship with alcohol: Forbid it to the young until they go to college, where it is tacitly accepted that they will spend the next three years binge-drinking horrible concoctions behind closed doors. Then, on their 21st birthdays, let them loose into the bars, their only experience with booze being to drink as much of it as cheaply as possible before throwing up or passing out.
When a crew of Central Washington Univeristy kids binged on Four Loko to disastrous effect, the response of their university and the state government was to ban the product, and the FDA declared caffeinated alcoholic beverages (which would presumably include rum and Cokes as well as—tell your Grandpa—Irish coffee) unsafe.
You don’t have to love the idea of Four Loko, or even believe that it should be legal to understand that this is an ineffective way to deal with the problem of binge drinking.
Bad form.
3. Initiative 1105 was a triumph of cynical politics.
It didn’t pass, of course, but it was a bummer that liquor privatization initiative 1105 (the second of the two initiatives, the purported goal of which was to make retail private while keeping the three-tier system in place) even got on the ballot. Authored by out-of-state distributors, I-1105 was a poorly written, lame little initiative which managed to thoroughly clog up the conversation about liquor laws in Washington State.
2. Brew Masters is not No Reservations for beer lovers.
There was always the possibility that Brew Masters would be a show about how Dogfish Head beers were marketed, but I didn’t really see it coming. Since it was created by the same people who make No Reservations, I expected a brewsky equivalent of the excellent Anthony Bourdain series, with Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione—clearly a talented and genuinely nice guy—traveling the world exploring beer culture.
Alas. Whenever Brewmasters takes a break from directly advertising the beer, it becomes the television equivalent of a really cringey best man’s speech. “Brah, remember the time we put on hip hop costumes and did a rap about brewing beer? That was awesome.”
What do you think? Was that awesome?
1. We still have to buy liquor at state stores.
Okay, whether or not you voted for liquor privatization this November, you must agree that it’s not so much fun to shop in state liquor stores. Smart legislation or Armageddon-inducing disaster law, privatization might have meant quirkily curated liquor boutiques offering a range of products from far and wide. That would have been a good time.
But the moment has passed, right? We need to resign ourselves to the fluorescent lights, jacked-up prices, limited selection, and generally bummer vibe of the state stores.
Editors Allecia Vermillion and Christopher Werner and a crew of contributing barflies report on the latest in openings, happy hours, bartender shuffles, and local liquors.
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