Grocery stores and liquor stores across the state may soon be able to offer free samples of beer to their customers under a new bill.
Assembly Bill 122 would allow retailers to provide customers with small samples of beer, as currently allowed under law with wine. Customers that are at least 21 years of age would have the opportunity to taste two 3 oz. samples of the beer of their choice.
The bill passed out of the State Affairs Committee Tuesday by a unanimous vote of 9-0 and will go to the floor for a full vote this Thursday.
Co-author of the bill and state Rep. Scott Newcomer, R-Hartland, said the bill has a good chance of passing with bipartisan support Thursday.
""It's one of those bills that is just good for the state's economy, good for a lot of our small brewers and good for consumers,"" he said. ""You can be able to go in if you want to buy a six-pack and you can taste it. If you like it, you can buy one. It's just a good bill across the board for everyone.""
Jeff Buhrandt, representative for the bill's co-author, state Rep. Pat Kreitlow, D-Chippewa Falls, said he is very optimistic about the bill's future as well and said it will have a positive impact on businesses.
""Any chance that a retailer has a chance to expand options for their customers, it's going to help their business,"" he said. ""We think it'll have a good impact on those businesses, as well as the distributors of and makers of the beer.""
Newcomer said Wisconsin residents can plan on seeing the bill put into effect soon.
""The goal of this is to have the governor sign it and have this ready to go by summertime,"" he said.
Buhrandt said there is another bill floating around the Senate concerning samples for harder alcohols.
