In April 2004, the Alabama State Legislature overrode Gov. Bob Riley's veto of a measure to make Conecuh Ridge Whiskey the "official state spirit." As the official spirit, a picture of Conecuh Ridge Whiskey was placed in the kid's section of the website produced by the Alabama Department of Archives and History. Widespread publicity increased demand for the whiskey, producing a very happy distiller. But, it appears the situation is about to change.
Trouble for Conecuh Ridge began in December, when state liquor agents charged the brand's founder, Kenny May of Troy, with misdemeanor violations in two counties - selling liquor without a license, possessing excessive quantities of liquor in a dry county, and selling to an 18-year-old girl in a state where the legal drinking age is 21.It seems the legislative schedule is full and the whiskey issue has been relegated to the bottom of the list. Oddly, the removal of the distinction of being the official state whiskey will probably cause demand to explode.
May admitted the violations and paid fines, and the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board decided to quit selling his product in state-run liquor stores.
The sponsor of the 2004 resolution honoring Conecuh Ridge, Rep. Alan Boothe, D-Troy, got the Alabama House to pass another resolution Feb. 3 repealing the product's designation as the "official state spirit." The resolution went to the Rules Committee, where it has been sitting ever since.
And, I have to ask. Why would the State of Alabama put a picture of whiskey on a kid's web page? It makes no sense.
No comments:
Post a Comment