The state legislature is demonstrating its uncanny knack for preserving inalienable rights. After striving to outlaw smoking in all public places except those where fatcats might hang out, they want to create and preserve a right to free beer – that is, provided a beer-tasting permit is purchased from the state. Money has a way of making things legal, and House Bill 1595 would simply formalize things. Beer is also a quick and dirty way to profiteer off the weaknesses of mere mortals. Free beer tastings would be expected to increase revenue from sin taxes.
Education and outreach efforts want us ignorant masses to understand that, unlike cheese or bread, beer must be sampled before it may be bought.
