food+drink serve malt beverages otherwise than in glasses, mugs, pitchers, or other containers, of a maximum capacity of thirty-two ounces,” nor “serve more than four fluid ounces of spirituous liquor to any individual at one time or in the making of a single mixed drink, nor serve more than two of the above containers to any individual at one time.” So much math.
HAPPY HOUR: NO. HAPPY DAY: YES
On a weekday almost anywhere in the United States between 3 and 5 p.m., you’re bound to find establishments serving discounted drinks to day-jobbers who believe that only schmoes work the last few hours of the workday. We know it as Happy Hour, a time between work and home during which people can get a warm belly at a discount. Except in Vermont, which is one of eight states to outlaw the hour of happy. The loophole? While establishments can’t reduce drink prices for a limited time, they can reduce them for an entire day. So, even if the boss makes you work late that drink special will still await. Rationale: If drink prices drop for a limited time, consumers might be encouraged to drink more than they normally would. Then, considering the timing of most happy hours, they’d get in their cars when traffic is busiest. And in a state where every road is either full of potholes or under construction, danger lurks. From the regulation: “First class or first and third class licensees shall not offer alcohol beverages at reduced prices for any period of time during daily legal hours. This Regulation shall not … prohibit lower alcohol beverage prices for a full business day.”
WE’RE NOT PLAYING GAMES
What could be more Vermont than sliding a sudsy mug of beer down a frozen table to a teammate who catches the mug as it flies off the table, then chugs it? Unfortunately, the extreme drinking sport of gelande quaffing and other public drinking games such as beer pong are banned. Boozing, apparently, shan’t be any more fun than it already is. Rationale: Drinking games generally have one magical power in common: getting humans drunk, and fast. From the regulation: “No licensee or licensee employee shall offer, permit or suffer on the licensed premises games, contests, or promotions, which encourage
NORTHEAST SEAFOOD
the rapid or excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.”
NO FREE BEER TOMORROW, TODAY OR ANY DAY
Think your witty banter or eyelash batting might get a drink or two knocked off your bar tab? Think again. Establishments are prohibited from giving out booze for free. Selling alcohol for less than wholesale price (which is set by the state) is also prohibited, meaning bars serving dollar beers are still making a profit. Now you know just how much Narragansett costs. However, certain Vermont licenses allow for free tastes or samples. So, when a bartender slides you a nip of the new vanilla porter, you can just go ahead and savor it. Probably no one’s going to lose their liquor license. Rationale: Studies have found that the lower alcohol is priced, the more it attracts heavy and problem drinkers and encourages everyone to drink more than they might otherwise. The regulations also prevent establishments from undercutting competitors with lower and lower prices, stabilizing pricing statewide. From the regulation: “No licensee or licensee employee shall furnish alcoholic beverages to any individual for no charge … First or second class licensees shall not sell malt or vinous beverages at a price lower than the price in effect at the time of purchase from the wholesale dealer…”
THE BAR AT BLEU 4 P M D A I LY/ B L E U V T. C O M Untitled-18 1
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End-of-Daylight Savings Deal Nov 1st thru Thanksgiving eve $40 for 3 courses Choose from the entire Menu!
Did you know that a plastic bag can take from 15 to 1,000 years to break down?
PUT A CORK IN IT, PLEASE
In almost every way — value and taste, for example — you’re better off ordering wine by the bottle instead of the glass when dining out. But sometimes one or two glasses is all you want or can handle without getting sloppy. Thankfully, Vermont allows consumers to take their open bottles home. As long as the bottle is properly capped by the establishment and out of the reach of a driver, Genest said, you’re good to go.
LET’S DO OUR PART TO GO GREEN!
1840 West Main St, Richmond, VT
802-434-8686
SERVING DINNER Tuesday-Saturday
kitchentablebistro.com
Rationale: Say you buy a bottle of wine with dinner and end up drinking just a glass or two. If the open bottle had to stay at the restaurant, you might be tempted8V-KitchenTable103118.indd to finish the whole thing. This way, the bottle is the only thing half drunk when you drive home. From the regulation: “Partially consumed bottles of vinous beverages or specialty beers that were purchased with a meal may be removed from first-class licensed premises, provided the beverages are recapped or resealed.” m
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When you call in a takeout order, let us know if you will be bringing your 10:38 AM own reusable bag.
sevendaysvt.com
24 Main Street, Winooski 655-4888 • Closed Tuesdays TINYTHAIRESTAURANT.NET SEVEN DAYS NOVEMBER 6-13, 2019
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