I’m not crazy about their motives, but I can’t help but smile as I read that Utah has banned foo-foo fruity alcohol drinks from grocery stores and convenience shops due to their appeal to underage drinkers. The Mormon Capital of the world is also mandating that all alcopops carry a special label, maybe a skull and crossbones or something.

I say this because we’re heading toward the Holiday season, and every year lawmakers in search of perpetual reelection get their dander up and try to ban the Bad Elf series of ultra high-end, extremely expensive imported holiday ales. The reasoning: The cartoony labels appeal to minors. Never mind the fact that mainstream beer is half the cost, more readily attainable by minors, and less challenging in flavor. Or that Alcopops such as Smirnoff Ice or Bacardi Breezers appeal to the youthful palates raised on Kool-Aid and “Sunny D”. It’s the craft beer that’s the fucking bad guy.

I’m glad a state liquor board finally sees the elephant in the room. Even if it’s the Cult of Utah.