Bottoms Up

Happy Friday, folks. As we venture out to our happy hours or head home to crack open that bottle of 2005 Pinot, please take a moment to think of your fallen Virginia brothers and sisters, who can’t even parktake in a little spiked fruit punch.

The state has made headlines for enforcing an archaic law banning the serving of sangria, along with other restrictions on alcohol consumption. Here’s an excerpt from a blog by Brandon Arnold, a scholar at the Cato Institute:

“Virginia’s ban on sangria and certain other mixed drinks is a relic of Prohibition that is out of line with today’s culture. While this particular law may be unique to Virginia, the U.S. is riddled with ridiculous state liquor laws that impose restrictions on the size of beer bottles, the number of ounces of spirits of a particular beverage, and the percentage of alcohol in beer; just to name a few. As was the case with the most draconian anti-alcohol restriction, Prohibition, these attempts at reducing alcohol consumption are misguided and often counterproductive. State governments should get out of the nanny business and allow responsible adults to enjoy the alcoholic beverage of their choosing.”

I have one word for you. Utah.

Good night, and good luck. Read more at the Cato Institute’s blog site.