the unequivocal notion

People still buying important staples

...such as booze.

KTVB:

Economy reeling, liquor sales in Idaho on the rise

BOISE -- A troubled economy and sky-high gas prices are forcing people to change the way they spend their hard earned money.

But one item that hasn’t been cut from most adult budgets due to tough times is liquor.

With an estimated $132 million in liquor sales this year, the numbers are already up nearly nine percent over last year, and there's still more than six months to go before the fiscal year ends, plenty of time to increase even more.

[...]

Part of the reason liquor sales have increased is because last year 27 of Idaho’s 44 counties started selling liquor on Sundays.

The liquor dispensary says those sales alone account for a $2 million increase in sales.

I'd also think that more and more people are opting to entertain "in" instead of going out to restaurants and bars, you get a heck of a lot more mileage out of your dough that way. Let's face it, you can buy a Crown & Coke for 5-6 bucks a pop at a bar, or buy a fifth of Crown for 23 bucks and a 12 pk of Pepsi (that's how I roll) for 3.50 and have 15 Crown & Cokes.

We have some friends that we eat "in" with quite a bit simply because we can enjoy more/better wines than going out to eat. Frankly, I have a hard time buying a bottle of wine in a restaurant for $65 when I know I can pick it up at a shop for $25. That and a lot of the times we can cook food that is just as good as we'd get in most moderately priced eateries -- there are, of course, exceptions.

NY Times on booze and beer

Just in time for those summer parties.

• Bittman on rethinking the cocktail.
• Cellaring your beer. This is something that I just learned about this past fall, I now have several beers I'm holding on to for a couple of years before popping the cap.
• Summer drinks, by the pitcher.
• Break out that blender. Drinks are going in the blender again w/ several recipes.
• Zombie Punch, it'll knock ya down. Also Beachbum Berry's Zombie.
• Robert Harris "Against Moderation". Definitely an interesting read.

Pimm's Cups in Nampa

Sitting on the sidewalk in Downtown Nampa @ Market Limone.

$10 bottomless Pimm's Cups, Mimosas and Sangrías. That's a quaffing bargain I can get behind.

And we thought we had it bad

Well, I think most Idahoans how are peeved with how our state controls booze realize that as bad as it is here in Idaho; it's a lot worse in some other states (I feel your pain Utahns). At least in Idaho it's easy to get good microbrews from nearly any store and wine is easily accessible. Hell, we at least have wine shops, a lot of states require you to purchase wine and higher alcohol content beer from state run liquor stores. Idaho is also one of only 35 states that allow you to buy wine online (thank God for wine.com) and have it shipped to you.

Pennsylvania, being one of the aforementioned states with extreme booze control is going to try out some wine kiosks in supermarkets. You know, so you can buy a wine to go with that dinner you're planning -- a novel idea indeed.

The idea as a whole is really, really disturbing. One, you'll have to only choose from a selection of about a dozen labels (so this would include your white, red, sparkling wine and dessert wine), and two you have to register with the state to be eligible to even buy the wine from these kiosks.

Vending-machine idea appalls wine crowd

HARRISBURG - For many, the future of buying wine in Pennsylvania could soon look something like this: your arm on a biometric sensor that will determine whether you're old enough - and sober enough - to get your favorite bottle from a machine.

Called a "wine kiosk," it's the latest concept being pushed by the state-run Liquor Control Board as a way to reduce hassles for consumers.

The kiosks - looking like large refrigerators with opaque glass built into a wood frame - would be placed in about 100 supermarkets across the state to finally make it possible to buy wine and food in the same place in Pennsylvania.

[...]

The machines would carry about a dozen different wines and hold up to 500 bottles, and the opaque windows would prevent minors from viewing the bottles (ed. note: wtf?).

To use the machines, customers would have to register at the supermarket with the help of a Liquor Control Board employee. The registration would include providing fingerprints and a valid credit card, and allowing an infrared arm scan.

After that, users could go to any machine and place their arm and hand on a sensor. Once their identity was verified and the machine determined they were not intoxicated, the glass would clear and they could make their selection, which would arrive in a sealed package.

The kiosks would not be staffed, but Liquor Control Board employees at a remote location would track purchases, according to the summary.

Purchasing histories could be monitored to weed out potential problem drinkers. And special identification numbers etched on the bottles would make it possible to trace them back to the buyer.

While we continue to push for fairer booze laws in Idaho, thank your lucky stars that you don't have to register with the state to buy wine at your local supermarket... yet.

Revisiting liquor licenses in the big city

A good comment from a bar owner over at BoiSee concerning a liquor license (one of many that have been listed lately) that was listed on Craigslist:

The state makes a ton of revenue on liquor and it appears they want even more. I bought my liquor license 7 years ago at market price which at that time was $100k. Which meant I cut a check to the state of Idaho for $10k. I also have to pay the state a yearly fee of around $800 along with yearly fees for my Ada County liquor license and city of Boise liquor license which add another several hundred dollars yearly. The state also requires all of us bar owners to only buy our liquor from guess who… the state of Idaho! Here is one example, a case of Crown Royal costs about $50 cheaper if you buy it in Nevada. But don’t worry the state decided to add an entire wing of government, the Alcohol Beverage Control to keep an eye on all the bar owners to make sure they didn’t make runs south for cheaper product keeping the monopoly intact.

Attorneys fees are basically a fixed cost for bar owners because of the current Regeme running ABC. Bikini gate being the latest dust up. But even us small time neighborhood bar owners get visits from those SOB’s who treat us like drug dealers with random inspections to make sure we walk the line. Outdated and many times unnecessary rules carried out by militant jack asses.

Now the state is thinking about making our liquor licence worthless and opening the floodgates so they can sell more licenses and cut out the middle man. The state got this current system due to simple supply and demand with regard to liquor license values. Supply did not meet demand thus higher prices. Personally, I think the state should assess the current market value and start charging new bar owners the current market value instead of issuing free ones to all the local attorneys who put themselves on the list 12 years ago. Of course I am biased but I think us bar owners have taken it in the rear from the state for long enough.

The legislature (and Otter's task force) really needs to address this. The system isn't fair for people looking to enter the market, nor for established license holders.

RE: The Crown Royal cost; in California you can buy a case (6 bottles) of half-gallon Crown Royal for about $144 from Coscto (yes, Costco). In Idaho, a case of half-gallon Crown Royal will run you about $312. How's that for capitalism?

100 best bars in America

Esquire Magazine picked the top 100 bars in America, only one from Idaho made the list; Boise's Pengilly's Saloon.

Of course, I think Pete's Tavern in Nampa should have made the list for the simple fact that they have a cave in the back.

Big Easy gets renewed

The Big Easy (Knitting Factory?) was able to strike a compromise with the Alcohol and Beverage Control board in order to maintain their liquor license -- and thus, remain in business.

KBCI:

Big Easy Gets Liquor License Renewed

BOISE- Nearly a year ago, Idaho State Police officers nabbed more than a half a dozen establishments around the Treasure Valley for violations including selling alcohol to underage kids and nudity, but on Monday night managers of one of Boise's largest concert venues says for them, it's business as usual.

Managers of the Big Easy Concert House say the Alcohol and Beverage Control questioned whether their venue should be considered a restaurant, after last years sting, which ultimately put their liquor license in jeopardy. But to help clear up any confusion, they say with their liquor licensed just renewed, they're not going anywhere.

The future of the Big Easy has been a little rocky for the past year after an undercover Idaho State Police sting targeted their business and seven others. The Big Easy was busted for allegedly selling alcohol to minors and simulating sex acts, during their Men of Las Vegas Show.

[...]

Hanson did say those under 21 could be excluded from certain concerts, and/or certain areas inside the venue. Hanson says the Big Easy has given A.B.C. a written plan, outlining things they need to have happen in order to continue business as usual, he says they are waiting to hear back from the Alcohol and Beverage Control on their plan.

I'm glad that they'll still be able to offer shows to the under-21 crowd as they shouldn't be punished from seeing great rock shows simply because of their age. You won't however, hear me complain if they are quarantined somewhere by themselves.

Speaking of the overzealous Idaho morality police -- there is a great piece in the Idaho Statesman about the 1910 Idaho Sunday-closing laws. One which banned sinful things such as "movie theaters", "pool halls", "merry-go-rounds", or "any such place of amusement". The old legislature -- same as the new legislature.

Rut-ro!

I wonder if there were any more undercover stings at the nudie bars this time? Gotta make sure them pasties are being used!

Idaho Statesman (the comments are full of calling-for-prohibition-again goodness):

Officials cite nine businesses for selling alcohol to minors

Boise police, with help from the Alcohol Beverage Control unit from Idaho State Police, cited nine local businesses for selling alcohol to minors in Boise over the weekend, police said.

Two people were also cited for allowing minors to loiter in a bar, Boise police said.

One establishment was also cited for serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person, police said.

Speaking of nudie bars.

Raise your glass and cheers!

Be it a pint, goblet, pilsner.

Fill 'er to the brim and toast the 75th anniversary of the modification of the Volstead Act on April 7th, 1933 which allowed beer as the only alcoholic beverage in the United States.

The failed social experiment known as "Prohibition" would come crashing down in December of the same year.

If you happen to be in Pocatello you can catch some 10 cent glasses of Portneuf Valley Brewing's new Ligertown Lager. I haven't heard about any brew-centric events in Boise or Nampa... but who knows.

Patrick Orr in the Idaho Statesman has has some back story and how prohibition affected Idaho.

Speaking of... Yesterday residents of South Carolina were allowed to buy beer and wine for the first time ever on a Sunday.

Stores sell beer, wine for the first time on Sundays

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - For the first time in Columbia, stores were able to sell beer and wine on Sundays. Some people didn't waste anytime getting in line to buy.

"You might want to sit back, watch a game or something and drink a nice cold one. Sales will be picking up," said Dennis Best.

I also find it mildly amusing that the bar with the best beer selection in Nampa is "The Doghouse" -- and it is in a guy's basement.

Updated

Serephin of 43rd State Blues fame made it to Portneuf Brewery today for some 10 cent brews...

Brat and brew pic goodness down below.

Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd, her daughter and booze

This morning in the Idaho Statesman there is a story about Meridian Mayor Tammy de Weerd’s daughter and two tickets she has received for underage drinking. The common theme in the comments section at the Statesman site is to either forgive her for her “mistake” or advocating harsher punishment.

One commenter even wanted to make underage drinking a felony – yes, making the vast majority of our teens felons for experimenting with a socially acceptable intoxicant is a brilliant solution.

What’s to forgive?

I will also note that high school senior RoAnne de Weerd is the chair of Meridian's Anti-Drug Coalition and also serves on America's Promise National Youth Partnership Team plus a couple of other anti-booze/drugs groups. I think that it's pretty clear she should resign those positions. Of course, drinking while telling others it's evil is kind of an American pastime. This is also the second time she has been ticketed for underage drinking.

RoAnne de Weerd only did what about 66% of Idaho teens and a great deal of teens around the world do -- drink alcoholic beverages. Only other countries actually educate their youth about alcohol. People wonder why we have so many problems with drinking in this country, the solution doesn’t lie with stricter regulations, it lies with education, understanding and reasoning. The prohibition of people under the age of 21 to drink has only pushed it underground, making it “taboo” and thus making it a special thing to drink. This is what creates binge drinking and addiction – binge drinking and alcoholism being the source of most of the ills caused by alcohol. People don’t kill people drunk driving after only 2-3 beers, they do it after 10 or 14.

Over the last couple of weeks there have been some interesting discussions about this topic on several of the wine and cooking blogs that I regularly read. I’ve wanted to mention something about it here, but haven’t been motivated to until I saw this story.

I find the 21 age requirement and fallacy ridden reasons behind it make for an interesting argument. On one hand the state allows you to get behind the wheel of a 5000lb truck or SUV at 16 and you’re allowed to elect city, state and national leaders at 18 – an awesome responsibility, on both accounts. But on another hand you can’t legally have a glass of wine with your parents at the dinner table. And let’s not even get me started that you can serve and die for your country at 18 (17 with mom and dads permission) and you still can’t sit down with a beer, either in public or at home. The government will train and arm you to go to foreign countries and kill human beings -- one of the most sacred responsibilities known to man.  And yet when you return home you can’t have a beer with your dad on your own back patio – is that freedom?

Doesn’t make sense to me. You?

Not allowing people to drink until they are 21 makes it seem like it’s this “big” thing when they are finally allowed to drink. Well, they don’t know it yet, but it’s not a “big” thing, it’s just an enjoyable thing. Here is something that history has proven time and time again – if you make something taboo, you’ll make people curious. And curious people do curious things.

When I was in the Army and in training at Fort Bliss in El Paso we were allowed to drink on base at 18 because they didn’t want soldiers going to Ciudad Juárez to drink (I call this being realistic). To me it wasn’t a big deal; I had done my fair share of weekend boozing by then, I’d lived on my own, I had what they called in the Army; “life experience”. I just wanted to focus on the Army and my task at hand and it paid off in dividends for me. However for the young soldiers who’d never been exposed to alcohol, well they went bat shit crazy with it – which invariably led to disciplinary problems. I’m sure you can take this same example and apply it to colleges across the country. There is nothing more degenerate than a sheltered kid who is finally beyond the grasp of their overbearing parents.

People think that if they shelter their children from alcohol and not teach them about it, that they won’t ever drink. Mom and dad do it, the media talks about it, their friends talk about it, and frankly it is a part of our society. And if parents they think their precious little snowflakes aren’t going to throw down at a kegger when mommy and daddy aren’t looking – well, they’re crazy.

One thing I’ve never understood about a great deal of Americans is their fascination with punishment over preventive education. Not only is it more cost effective to educate instead of punish but it makes logical sense. You can’t tell kids that no, alcohol is bad, bad, bad, but then turn around and drink yourself. They’re only going to wonder what you’re trying to hide from them -- thus experiment on their own, which in turn leads them to not experiment responsibly in a controlled environment.

We don’t teach our kids how to drive without allowing them to physically drive so why would we do it any different with alcohol? Granted this is something that should be the parents’ responsibility; I’m not advocating a booze class as an elective for your senior year. Parents should have the right to allow their children to drink in their homes and be allowed to teach the negatives and positives of alcoholic beverages. And frankly, once a kid turns 18 and the government treats them as an adult in both privilege and punishment; they should be able to drink as well.

MEDIA: NYtimes

BLOGS: Left Side of the Moon on de Weerd

Tamarack get theirs

But you silly citizen; don't get yours.

Gov. Otter signed the all important legislation allowing Tamarack Resort 12 liquor licenses. So, assuming Tamarack Resort has 1200 (I'd think that's reasonable, there didn't seem to be too many people up there the times that we've been) people a day, that'd be one liquor license for every 100 people. Even bumping it up to 2400 people it'd be one license for every 200 people.

What do the rest of us get? 1 liquor license per 1500 people. Special interest politics at its finest.

To be clear, I don't care that Tamarack has that many licenses, I think that it is great, but regular Idahoans shouldn't have to deal with the morality police and their archaic liquor laws. Gov. Otter needs to whip his task force into gear and remove control of Idaho's booze from Idaho's GOP led Legislature. Let's see that "free-market" mentality that we heard so much about during Otter's campaign.

Updated

Well, that was quick. Otter lays the hammer down (thanks Sisyphus!). Full text of Gov. Otter's letter to Idaho's Legislature RE: These stupid goddamn special interest liquor bills.

No election day booze for you, ole' chap

Eye on Boise:

Election Day liquor bill killed - on St. Paddy's Day?

In a surprising move, the Senate has just killed HB 348a, the bill to end Idaho’s ban on Election Day liquor sales – on a 16-16 tied vote. But three senators were missing from the floor, including at least one who was delayed in a House committee hearing and wanted to vote in favor of the bill. There may be a move to reconsider the vote. That would require someone who voted on the prevailing side – against the bill – to ask for reconsideration.

Because you citizen, are not smart enough to choose when you should or should not enjoy a cocktail. Idaho's GOP only dislikes big government when it's not their big government.

Well, I guess I'm gonna' hook up my horses to the ole' buggy and head down to the saloon for some warm beer -- 'cause apparently we are still living in the wild west.

We'll have to see if this gets a re-vote, could make it a bit more interesting.

MEDIA: KBCI, KIFI, KTVB

To add insult to injury; our booze squeamish friends to the south approved election day booze sales in bars and restaurants last month.

Updated

The bill passed after a re-vote. Score one for sanity.

Going smokeless in Boise bars?

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this.

KBCI:

Proposed smoking ban in Boise

BOISE - David Crawford, a smoker, knows that 20 years of lighting up have not been the best for his health.

"I've quit 100 times. Maybe one day it'll stick," Crawford said.

A group of health advocates, known as "Smokefree Boise," is proposing a ban on smoking in Boise bars.

"There's a trend towards going smoke-free nationwide. Of course, we're definitely not breaking new ground here. Other states have done it and have had huge successes," said Katie Whittier, a spokesperson for Smokefree Boise.

On one hand I love smoke-free establishments, but on the other hand, that's a choice I make, not a choice I want made for me. It's just a personal preference that I've developed in my elder years, but that is what it is, a preference.

I just don't think that forcing smokers to congregate at the entrance to places where you choose to be is necessarily the right thing to do.

Weekend Tunes

St. Patty's day edition. It's The Pogues and "If I Should Fall from Grace with God"

My wife's family has quite a bit of Irish in 'em so they like to really throw down come St. Patrick's Day weekend. Which is fine by me, lots o' Guinness, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Jameson and other assorted goodies.

Yay! more licenses for resorts!

But still no more for the little guys... go figure.

KTVB:

Senate passes bill to let Sun Valley lodge get booze license

BOISE - Skiers who end their day at Sun Valley's Warm Springs Lodge are closer to being able to enjoy a apre-ski cocktail.

The Senate State Affairs Committee unanimously approved a bill Wednesday to allow ski lodges located within a city limits to get a liquor license.

Idaho strictly limits its liquor licenses, allowing one for every 1,500 residents.

[...]

Senator Clint Stennett, the bill's sponsor, says out-of-state skiers are shocked when they get to the bottom -- and can't get a drink.

No shit. Probably just as out-of-state visitors are shocked when they find out they can't buy booze on Sundays, and that they have to buy it from state controlled liquor stores at artificially inflated prices.

Here's a novel idea; next year, ('cause this year is obviously going to go down as one of the most worthless sessions ever) we just un-stupid our liquor licensing system. Then we don't have to have all these pet bills wasting time in the Legislature.

Firehouse Sports Pub in Nampa

My wife and I along with some friends went last week to check out one of Nampa's newer imbibing locations; Firehouse Sports Pub located at Midland and Caldwell Blvd, in the old Chicago Connection building. Sadly, Chicago Connection took their pizza ovens with them, because that is the only thing that the Firehouse needs -- some good food.

The Firehouse is a nice clean, non-smoking sports bar, and it is exactly just what you'd expect from a sports bar -- flat screen TVs (in HD none the less) hang on nearly every corner, there are two pool tables, two dart machines and various other video games located throughout. The beer selection is pretty decent for a Nampa bar, it's got a full bar, your basic domestics, and some of the larger domestic pseudo-micros. Which, I won't complain about at all, it's a sports bar after all -- we went through several pitchers of Coors Light ourselves. Without attracting the ire of the beer police, I have to say their Coors Light was served up the best in Nampa. The glasses seemed pulled from a tank of liquid nitrogen and the pitchers had the ice chute built-in, keeping the Coors Light ice cold, the way it's meant to be.

Food was our only complaint, and they were more than open to talking about the food, they are after all a pretty new place and wanted feedback. The menu consisted of 4 things: Fish & Chips, Chicken Strips & Fries, Steak Fingers & Fries and Hot Wings. Our waitress asked how we liked them (we ordered one of each) and we were completely honest; I'll go ahead and let you assume what we thought about fried food from a bag. One thing that I'll mention, because I found it amusing, is that I had a hot wing that... I'll shit you not, was just slightly larger than a quarter, and not in width, but in height, had I had my camera I would have snapped a pic.

Aside from the current menu (which we were told was going to be revamped and expanded) I thought the Firehouse Sports Pub was a great little place, the staff was wonderful and inviting, the service was outstanding and the Coors Light was ice cold. I do think they will face some tough competition with the established Elliot's Sports Pub and Grill not sitting more than a hundred yards away, but the Firehouse should do fine, a welcome addition to Nampa. We'll definitely be checking it out some more in the near future -- the patio will be a nice place for one of those sub-zero Coors Lights come the heat of the summer, no doubt about that.

Oh, I guess one other thing they could use would be a website -- I can't stress this enough to new bar or restaurant owners; you need a website. However simple, doesn't need any Flash, just some simple HTML, but let people know who you are, where you are and what you serve. In this day and age it is a necessity, it's one of the first things I look for when I hear about a new joint and so do most other people in my demographic. The last thing you want when people Google your place is for the top result to be some blog from some whiny guy.

From our neighbors to the south

And I thought we had it bad.

Utah changes already-complicated liquor laws
Adjusts size of shot, bans orders of sidecar if it’s in your mixed drink

SALT LAKE CITY - Bar patrons in Utah, which has some of the nation's strictest liquor laws, will soon be able to get 50 percent tipsier off one cocktail. Be warned, though: no more "sidecars."

The amount of liquor allowed in the standard cocktail will increase from 1 ounce to 1.5 ounces after the Legislature approved the first major changes in years to the state's liquor laws. That's the standard used in most other states and countries.

Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman has said he wants the change so Utah won't appear so strange to the rest of the world. Utah is the only state to limit the amount of liquor allowed in a standard shot, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

[...]

Utah will become the only state to ban wine coolers and flavored malt beverages from grocery stores. Instead, they will be sold only in state liquor stores.

"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that these alcopops are directed to our kids. It is a gateway drug," said Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab.

Restrictions on wine coolers were almost guaranteed after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said last month that it supported doing so. Sixty percent of the state's residents are Mormon, but 80 percent to 90 percent of lawmakers are.

[...]

Residents can take comfort that at least one liquor law won't change: Doubles will remain illegal.

Socialism and booze in Idaho

Dr. Jasper LiCalzi, a professor from The College of Idaho who blogs at the Idaho Statesman has a great post comparing Idaho's state run liquor monopoly to Socialism.

He makes some great points:

So, where is the blatant socialism in our system? It is an issue that hasn’t been brought up yet in this debate. The Idaho state government owns and operates liquor stores. The state buys the liquor and then sells it directly to the people. Hugo Chevez could not find a less market driven system. Where are the conservatives, libertarians and anti-statists commentators, who seem to comment on all of these blogs, when it comes to the most manifest form of government control in our state? Why is free enterprise so important in pre-school education and health care but not booze?

I assume the Governor does not support this system and is just waiting for the right time to propose privatization of the entire system. Many other commentators use ideology when it fits their personal philosophy but ignore it when it doesn’t. That is why you hear, “I want the government out of my life” yet it is followed with “We cannot let people make that decision for themselves.” If you are against government interference, at least be consistent.

read the whole thing...

More booze in the news -- The Big Easy denied

Whoever the Big Easy pissed off, they pissed them off really good.

Idaho Statesman:

Senators kill bill allowing alcohol at all-ages shows
Boise's Big Easy Concert House says the law was necessary for it to bring in entertainment

A popular Boise concert club is closer to losing its ability to sell alcohol at all-ages events.

A Senate committee on Monday rejected a bill that would have changed the state's liquor rules to help the club.

The bill was brought to the Senate State Affairs Committee by the owners of the Big Easy Concert House. It would have created a new class of establishments, called "events centers," which could serve liquor while minors are present. That would have put the Big Easy in the same league as sporting venues like Qwest and Taco Bell arenas.

"We have as a state tried to keep minors away from environments where the sale of liquor, including liquor by the drink, is readily available, and we continue to chip away at it," said Sen. Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, who voted against the bill.

The Big Easy, which opened in 2001, is allowed to serve liquor during all-ages events because it is recognized by the state as a restaurant, a designation the Idaho State Police is trying to revoke. State police have argued that the Big Easy functions more like a bar than a restaurant.

This, like most else that comes out of Idaho's Legislature is just plain stupid. There is no place in the state that does more to ensure underage people don't drink than the Big Easy. You can't walk 10 feet without coming under the assuming glare of one of the many bouncers that they employ. When we were sitting at the bar before the Drive-By Truckers show last week the bartender checked every single person who came to the bar for their over-21 wristband. Every single one. No system is perfect, but that is exactly why place like Qwest, Taco Bell Arena and the Idaho Center shouldn't get special rules just for them.

Possibly gone now are shows like Bright Eyes, one of the most prolific bands of the last 10 years, one who attracted 16-year-olds to 66-year-olds last time they were in Boise. Of course, I guess I should know better than to think that these old curmudgeons care for what musical acts come to Boise.

I think what I find most infuriating about this is the blatant forcefulness that the Legislature is using to shove their narrow scope of morals onto everyone else. I'd argue that patrons, both under and above the age of 21 have a right to see acts such as Josh Ritter, The Drive-By Truckers, Modest Mouse or Built to Spill. Some of these artist's music is ageless -- it doesn't conform to typical musical stereotypes. People under the age of 21 have a right to see such acts, and people over the age of 21 have a right to enjoy an adult beverage while they are watching these acts -- it's really that simple.

After all the hoops that Idaho's Legislature goes through to allow Qwest and Tamarack to get special consideration for whatever they want, you'd think that the Big Easy's only problem is not having the right lobbyist. This even though the lobbyist's father Sen. Denton Darrington is on the Senate State Affairs committee (he abstained from the vote, which is appropriate). I'd love to make some guesses as to what religion members of the Senate State Affairs committee subscribe to by making broad generalizations of where they reside, but alas, the Senate membership page is down, for the 10th time this session. How appropriate. How useless.

Personally, I don't think Idaho's Legislature is just after the Big Easy, I would wager a guess that they are out to punish Boise, the Liberal bastion that doesn't vote red. I can't really say much for any other states, but if they are half as useless as Idaho's Legislature; then God have mercy on this country.

Also today the Idaho Statesman has a great "Our View" which goes after Gov. Otter's task force for, well, basically doing nothing so far. It's a good read if you're following the booze issues in Idaho.

Update

Clayton Cramer writes comments -- promptly tosses any sense of personal responsibility right out the window.

Slashfood on Sunday booze sales in Colorado

I liked this paragraph from a Slashfood post regarding the Colorado legislature considering whether it will or will not let people buy booze on Sundays; a familiar problem I'd say.

Slashfood:

The government should work on teaching people how to be responsible, and maybe work on strategies to prevent the downsides of drinking. It should not, however, tell me when I can purchase alcohol. That's just un-American.

Still no meaningful reform

Idaho Statesman has an update on some liquor bills making their way through the legislature:

Alcohol bills bypass review of old laws
With a task force unlikely to offer proposals until next year, some interests say they can't wait.

Members of Gov. Butch Otter's liquor task force are taking a methodical approach to rewriting the state's alcohol laws, but some legislators and lobbyists aren't waiting.

At least eight bills dealing with the state's alcohol laws are winding their way through the Legislature. Most appear to have been written without consultation with the task force.

[...]

The Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producing Commission is pushing one bill that would allow a winery restaurant to sell beer and liquor not produced by the winery and another bill to allow two wineries to share equipment. The legislation was brought this session in part because the winemakers have not been included in the governor's task force, said Roger Batt, who lobbies for the wine industry.

[...]

The current quota system, which Otter contends is broken, caps the number of liquor licenses at around 1,100.

With more than 300 people on the waiting list, a license can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars on the secondary market.

At least two pending bills aim to make changes to liquor license laws, including one that would allow towns with 1,500 or fewer people to issue licenses to large resort developments.

Another bill, sponsored by Sen. Mike Jorgenson, R-Hayden Lake, would allow Tamarack Resort to obtain more liquor licenses. He said he went ahead with the bill without comment from the task force because the bill can't wait.

Bottom line, you, citizen still can't get a liquor license at face value (w/out a ridiculous wait), but Tamarack can get their 13. I'm eager to see what Otter's task force brings to the table next legislative session -- it should be interesting as some legislators will be forced to play either their religious or business cards.

I am kinda curious about the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producing Commission's bill, I think it makes sense, and another example as to why the laws need changed. For the life of me I can't think of any wineries that have attached restaurants except for Carmela in Glenns Ferry. I can only assume that this is intended for Polo Cove, the truffle farm/resort/winery that is planned for southwest Canyon County (of which we are eagerly awaiting new info on).   

House passes Election Day booze sales

Of course, there were plenty of dissenters in the 44-25 vote, because you Citizen, aren't capable of choosing when you can or cannot drink. Those are decisions best left to Idaho's rural, graying, white male dominated legislature -- they of course know better than you do after all.

It'll still be interesting to see how the Senate goes with this, and of course see how they vote when it comes to giving Tamarack 9 more liquor licenses.

Ya know... cause they're worried about "temperance and sobriety".

Misleading headlines

From KTVB

Headline:

Bill would grant small towns liquor licenses

First sentence of the story:

BOISE -- A state Senate committee will consider a bill that would make it easier for small towns in Idaho that have big resorts nearby to get liquor licenses.

Amusing...

I found it slightly humorous that Patrick Orr was the Idaho Statesman reporter who put up the story about the guy who chucked a snowball at a Boise police officer Saturday night.

One case tossed on the wall of a random bathroom

One of the cases in the now infamous "Bikinigate" scandal has been tossed out of court.

KTVB:

Judge dismisses case against bartender accused of over-serving
BOISE -- A blow to the recent crackdown on Boise bars.

Late Thursday afternoon, a judge threw out a case against a Boise bartender charged with over-serving.

An undercover officer from the Alcohol Beverage Control cited Dirty Little Roddy’s bartender, Jennifer McKee,, after he claims she gave two patrons too much to drink.

But an Ada County judge dismissed the case, claiming the officer couldn't prove the bartender knew how much the men had been drinking.

So... If this case got tossed because the officer "couldn't prove" it; I'll be really interested to see what evidence the ISP has against the other establishments, if any.

If you didn't catch this segment on channel 7 then you should check out the clip on the KTVB.com website. It actually makes this whole thing a little more interesting to the parties paying attention to this episode. With input from parties that are going to be affected by the oncoming crackdowns.

And while, yes, I do agree that bartenders should not be serving drinks to patrons who are obviously severely intoxicated (hence the training) -- the judgment that someone is severely intoxicated is very subjective. And, there is a difference between serving someone who shouldn't be drinking any more if they are driving and a patron who has a designated driver.

Scary slippery sloppy slopes indeed.

It's just booze and business

Interesting story in the Idaho Statesman on the building up of what will most likely be a fairly large fallout from Governor Otter's Liquor Task Force's recommendations a few months ago:

Statesman:

Coalition wants to keep liquor licensing system
But a task force says removing the state's quota system would help Idaho's tourism and economic development.

Some Idaho liquor license holders have formed a group to try to stop a plan that they say would make such licenses easier to obtain and devalue the limited number already in existence.

[...]

The state issues liquor licenses on a per-capita basis of one per 1,500 people, based on Idaho's 1947 liquor laws that were passed to promote "temperance."

That has resulted in waiting lists to get licenses, and some people who now hold them - including members of the Boise-based coalition - paid many thousands of dollars to get theirs.

But members of a task force appointed by Gov. Butch Otter have said they don't think the state should be dictating how many bars an area should have, and removing the quota could help economic development and tourism.

I actually liked this comment that was left on the Statesman's website, it neatly summed it up:

Value of the Liquor License
Submitted by idahorafting on Mon, 12/10/2007 - 7:28am.

The value of the license is only price the state charges for a new license. Any other value is speculative and like the stock market, can go up or down at a whim. Just because someone speculated and paid $200,000 for a license doesn't mean it is worth that.

I understand the loss, but its something that is just going to have to be sucked up by the current license holders; and it's not like they are going to lose everything they put into it. And there are measures in Otter's task force recommendations to compensate the license holders. Yes, they won't be able to turn around and sell it for 200k or more and make a profit so they can buy that home up on the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene. But that's not supposed to be the point of liquor laws and the task force is clarifying that point -- to make Idaho's liquor license laws more equitable, for everyone. As they say; "It's just business".

I was pleased to see this move coming from Governor Otter's office, I think it's a show of his core Libertarian values, which is pretty big in my eyes with the growing power (power grab) of Idaho's Conservatives. We'll have to see how this plays out when Idaho's legislature takes up the issue at the beginning of the year, it'll be one to keep an eye on if you enjoy this type of thing. This could really turn into one of those pivotal issues that Idaho's elected Republicans are going to have to choose a side on:

• Do they favor using government to control when and what Idahoans drink?

• Or do they favor letting the private market dictate when and what Idahoans drink?

I think sometime in the not-so-far-off future, say, 10-20 years we'll see Idaho's Republican super-majority splinter into small factions. Ok, we'll see the fractions that exist today out in the public domain.  It'll be reminiscent of the splinter we are already seeing on the national side of Republican politics -- those who believe in limited government and those who believe in using government to control others.

Update

Speaking of.

Nampa openings

The Idaho Statesman put out their article on the opening of Market Limone. And speaking of Market Limone we'll be down on Friday night for their first wine tasting; about time Nampa has somewhere that offers up a wine tasting! Wine and good cheese; can one really go wrong?

Idaho Press-Tribune has a story on Nampa's newest booze dispensary located out by Costco at the new Treasure Valley Marketplace. Good location if you ask me, although we could use one on the north side of town and another one in the southwest area, so, uh, keep that in mind for next years budget please.

Growth in Nampa -- it's not a-comin', it's here.

Can it happen here?

Salt Lake Tribune:

Liquor commissioner wants booze out of view

Liquor control commissioner Bobbie Coray asked her colleagues on Wednesday to consider a rule to cover up bottles of booze displayed at restaurants because some diners may be offended at the sight of alcohol.

A glass partition between bartenders and customers required under current regulations may not be enough, Coray told her fellow liquor control commissioners at their monthly meeting.

Coray, a lone holdout opposing liquor licenses for strip bars, now wants the commission to place more restrictions on glass partitions in restaurants. She called the partitions "a Zion curtain," imposed to satisfy Mormons whose faith eschews alcohol.

I doubt it could happen in Idaho just because most of the Republicans in charge are more business/economically motivated than our neighbors to the south of us. But then again with the recent heavy handed tactics of Idaho's Alcohol Beverage Control it wouldn't really surprise me.

Top 10 alcohol icons of all time

Interesting read over at the Modern Drunkard Magazine.