The Utah Consumer Coalition is a grassroots alliance of the responsible citizens of Utah who feel that they've been disenfranchised by Utah’s lawmakers and special interest groups when drafting laws that govern the sale of beer in Utah.
Beginning with the 2020 legislative session, the UCC will be advocating for sensible laws that govern the sale of draft beer in Utah’s restaurants, bars and breweries, allowing for all beer to be dispensed directly into a glass.
Despite having adequate and strict controls in place to govern the sale of beer in State licensed facilities, the current Utah law requires all beer above 5% ABV (alcohol by volume) to be packaged into individual bottles or cans. This law wastes millions of dollars in resources and has a devastating environmental impact, yet offers no public health and safety benefit.
The UCC seeks to change Utah laws to allow Utah Breweries to sell heavy beer (as defined by Utah law) in 1/6 and 1/2 barrel containers and allow licensees permitted to sell heavy beer, to dispense the beer directly into a glass.
The Coalition contends that responsible drinkers who purchase heavy beer in a bottle, then pour it into a glass, will be responsible drinking a heavy beer poured directly into a glass by a Utah licensee.
We support Utah’s health & safety values and recognize the importance of creating safeguards to prevent alcohol use by minors. We also support efforts to prevent over-consumption and driving under the influence. The recommended changes to Utah law will have a neutral effect on underage drinking, but has the potential to reduce over-consumption and reduce driving under the influence by allowing the consumer to purchase smaller servings of heavy beer, by the glass.
The Coalition believes that current laws governing the sale of heavy beer by Utah’s breweries and licensees impose an unnecessary financial burden on small business; has a negative impact on Utah’s tourism and hospitality industry; inhibits consumer freedom; and has a measurable, devastating impact on the environment.