NEWS
distillery bills are not encouraging anyone to drink more
hard liquor, but to drink Oregon hard liquor.
Williamson, a Democrat, is chief sponsor of two bills
moving forward in the Oregon Legislature that would
improve ways distilleries are allowed to market and sell
their products. She became aware of some of the industry’s
concerns after she and her husband took a tasting tour of
Bull Run Distillery, which is close to her Portland district.
HB 2567 addresses several of the concerns Williamson
heard during her tasting at Bull Run. Reps. John Lively,
Nancy Nathanson and Paul Holvey are cosponsors.
The bill would allow the sale of bulk liquor between
distilleries in the state. Currently, distillers can purchase
bulk liquor from across the country and the world, but
they can’t buy in bulk from another distiller in their own
state. It also would allow distillers to host cocktail classes
and other special events to showcase their products at
their Oregon Liquor Control Commission-approved
tasting rooms.
Ben Maude, co-owner of Monroe-based Hard Times
Distillery, says thus far the legislation looks like it is going
to give him fantastic opportunities to grow his business.
At the Festival of Eugene last year he faced many hurdles
to even be a part of the celebration. Because it was held in
a park, only alcohol under a certain proof level could be
sold. He had to sell his product as a pre-mixed cocktail.
“We couldn’t even display our own bottles,” Maude
says. He says it’s unfair that wineries and breweries can
sell their crafted alcoholic beverages at community events,
but he cannot.
HB 2567 wouldn’t change the fact that distilled spirits
are not allowed in parks, but it would allow distillers to
collaborate at special events across the state. Instead of
each distiller having to travel to events to show off their
product, the law would allow them to hire one person to
run a tasting room with several Oregon distillers.
“If you can try all sorts of things from across the state,
you’ll have a much more rich experience,” Maude says.
HB 2567 would also allow distillers to use spirits
from out of state to make cocktails in their tasting room.
Patrick Bernards, founder of Bull Run Distillery, says
he is frustrated that he can’t use his own spirits to show
customers how it can be used to make his favorite cocktail
— “Satan’s Whiskers.” He doesn’t have plans to make the
orange curaçao liqueur called for in the recipe himself, so
he hopes the bill will be approved.
Any cocktail Bernards made in his tasting room would
still need to have an Oregon product in it.
The other bill making headway in Salem is HB 2568
— a law that would establish the Oregon Spirits Board.
It is cosponsored by Holvey, Nathanson and Rep. Val
Hoyle.
Oregon has similar organizations for breweries and
wineries, to promote tourism and to help organize support
and collaboration between the industries and the state.
The distillery board would have nine members and be
funded by one to four cents from the sale of every bottle
purchased. The pennies would directly fund the board,
instead of going to the General Fund.
Despite scrutiny of the bill’s funding aspects by the
League of Oregon Cities and Bend-based Republican Rep.
Sal Esquivel, HB 2568 passed out of its first committee
in the House, and it is now in the House Ways and Means
Committee. HB 2567 passed out of the House and is scheduled
for a public hearing and work session in the Senate Business
and Transportation Committee. — Lucy Ohlsen
Eugene Scottish Festival
Saturday, May 23 — 10am - 5pm
Irving Grange, 1011 Irvington Drive
Scottish/ Irish
entertainment all day
GRATEFUL WEB
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www.eugenescottishfestival.com
$5 donation & a can of food • 12 & under Free
4 5
Comedy
Errors
The
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 • DOORS 8PM • $8 ADV/$10 DOOR • 21+
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AN EVENING WITH
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TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015 • DOORS 6:30PM • $19 ADV/$22 DOOR • 21+
BECCA STEVENS BAND
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5/27 • 8PM • $10 ADV/$12 DOOR • ALL AGES
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6/1 • 7PM • $9 ADV/$10 DOOR • 21+
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8th & Charnelton • CozmicPresents.com • CozmicPresents@gmail.com
May 22 - June 6
FREE
for UO students
Joseph Gilg Directs
Robinson Theatre
THE BARD’S FUNNIEST PLAY!
eugeneweekly.com • May 21, 2015
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