This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Snowbird's Oktoberfest almost was prohibited from serving beer in 2014 — leading to jokes nationwide about a dry beer festival. Legislators decided Thursday they don't want that kind of embarrassment in the future.
The Senate voted 24-0 to give final approval to HB13, and sent it to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature.
It would clarify how the state liquor commission considers permits for special occasions.
It would ensure that "the commission shall issue the permit," instead of "may" issue it, "if the applicant meets the requirements" listed in the bill, said Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper, the bill's Senate sponsor.
HB13 would require such things as ensuring that minors are not served alcohol, that adults are not served too much, and that the venue is appropriate for the event.
"We had an international embarrassment … that probably undermined our tourism industry a wee bit when it was shown that Utah was going to try to have Oktoberfest without beer," Stephenson said.
That came when the liquor commission granted a permit for a Father's Day Brewfest at Snowbird, but it signaled that it might not grant a permit for Oktoberfest — part of an effort to cut down on single-event permits. However, a permit was worked out.
"I tell you that at Snowbird, Oktoberfest is a pretty big deal that lasts a few weeks," Stephenson said, adding that as long as it complies with the law it should expect permits to be granted.