Should Fun Be Excluded At Distillery Tasting Rooms?

Ursa Major Distillery Owner Rob Borland: “She even goes to say that she wants to outlaw fun in a tasting room, which is kind of ridiculous.”

The “she” that Ursa Major Distillery Owner Rob Borland is referring to is the new Alcohol Control Office Director Erika McConnell, who some in the industry feel is taking Alaska’s fledgling distillery industry to task.

It is confusing to the public because beer tastings with food, entertainment, and all sorts of fun activities take place at brewpubs all over the state, even a few brave local wineries are allowed to offer customers the opportunity to sample their wares in a warm inviting environment.

Testifying before the ABC Board today, Jeff Landfield says…

Jeff Landfield: “I’m not even sure why this is a thing. Very supportive. We all like having a drink. No big deal.”

It is a big deal to those who interpret “entertainment” – an activity strictly excluded in the current law, as fun.

Ursa Major Distillery Owner Rob Borland: “She just wants people to come in, take a sample if they like the product, then they take a bottle and leave. She doesn’t want anybody lingering here or enjoying themselves in any way.”

The ABC Board listened to testimony from all around the state, before considering what direction to give.  Board members kept referring back to the Alaska Statute that allows for tasting rooms.

ABC Board Member: “It says there shouldn’t be entertainment and the amount that can be served, and that it’s specific to a tasting of that product for the public, and they can also make sales.  To me, that seems to be getting lost here.”

Senator Peter Micciche was vice-chair of the Senate Labor and Commerce Standing committee in 2014, when the law that allowed tasting rooms in distilleries was passed as a means to help a new industry gain a competitive advantage over outside companies that sold their spirits in Alaska.

Micciche says they may be overthinking what the legislative intent was of the bill.

Senator Peter Micciche R D-O: “I certainly hope that the board doesn’t make an unrealistic interpretation, and go so far as to say that fun shouldn’t occur in a tasting room.”

The Board wasn’t complete when it considered the issue early Monday evening, Wasilla’s Rex Leath wasn’t able to discuss the public safety impacts, which could potentially be considerable when the possible addition of nearly 300 tasting rooms in Anchorage is added together.

The Board elected to table making a decision until its next meeting in January.