Uh, where did the beer go?
May 27, 2015, 9:53 am
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
I would be nice to have some decent house wines in SCs, like the LAX SC used to have (Kenwood chard, cab, and merlot, not wonderful but much better than the wine that's been chosen for the standardization).
May 27, 2015, 10:56 am
#18
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
As for the beer. I remember SLC having decent stuff before. Now, it's just a bunch of sad empty taps.
I don't think the 3.2% rule applies to private clubs such as the SC. Plus, Squatters has some good beers on tap, and they aren't 3.2.
May 27, 2015, 11:04 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
May 27, 2015, 11:07 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
I'm not sure since I have really never left SLC airport to explore Utah.
From wikipedia: "Current Utah law sets a limit of 3.2 percent alcohol by weight (4 percent by volume) in beer sold at grocery and convenience stores and at establishments operating under a "beer only" type license, such as taverns, beer bars and some restaurants. Beer over 3.2 percent by weight (4 percent by volume) is available in State Liquor Stores and Package Agencies and at clubs and restaurants licensed to sell liquor."
Hence why places like Squatters have a full bar and places like the Sky Club are not subject ot the 3.2% restriction.
From wikipedia: "Current Utah law sets a limit of 3.2 percent alcohol by weight (4 percent by volume) in beer sold at grocery and convenience stores and at establishments operating under a "beer only" type license, such as taverns, beer bars and some restaurants. Beer over 3.2 percent by weight (4 percent by volume) is available in State Liquor Stores and Package Agencies and at clubs and restaurants licensed to sell liquor."
Hence why places like Squatters have a full bar and places like the Sky Club are not subject ot the 3.2% restriction.
May 27, 2015, 11:07 am
#22
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Platinum, etc etc etc
Posts: 2,341
Yep that is what I was referring to back in an earlier post. Utah has extremely archaic liquor laws and 3.2% on draft would apply on beer made in or delivered to Utah. In their eyes they do not care 3.2% draft is it restaurant, bar, private club, etc
May 27, 2015, 12:16 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,944
The Utah liquor laws have an explicit exemption for airline lounges located at Salt Lake City airport, allowing them to serve heavy beer (>3.2ABV) and full liquor selections during extended hours. If I recall correctly, airline lounge provisions were relaxed (along with many others) during the 2002 Olympic Games after an IOC official complained.
Prior to that relaxation, I believe you could get a drink in the airport, but alcohol products weren't allowed to be advertised or even displayed...
Prior to that relaxation, I believe you could get a drink in the airport, but alcohol products weren't allowed to be advertised or even displayed...
May 27, 2015, 12:20 pm
#24
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Here
Posts: 224
Now THAT is a First World problem. If you want good beer, go outside the club and buy good beer!
May 27, 2015, 12:22 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 29,967
May 27, 2015, 12:47 pm
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
The Utah liquor laws have an explicit exemption for airline lounges located at Salt Lake City airport, allowing them to serve heavy beer (>3.2ABV) and full liquor selections during extended hours. If I recall correctly, airline lounge provisions were relaxed (along with many others) during the 2002 Olympic Games after an IOC official complained.
Prior to that relaxation, I believe you could get a drink in the airport, but alcohol products weren't allowed to be advertised or even displayed...
Prior to that relaxation, I believe you could get a drink in the airport, but alcohol products weren't allowed to be advertised or even displayed...
May 27, 2015, 12:55 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SE USA
Programs: DL DM/MM , IHG Plat, MR Titanium, HH Gold, EK Frequent Kettle, UA Silver, AA Hater
Posts: 2,020
I drink maybe six beers a year total in the SC. It would be nice those six times if I could get a decent beer. The other day I was thirsty in the SC but I waited an hour to get a beer on the plane instead. If DL is going to give me a beer, why does in matter where??
Ugg.
Ugg.
May 27, 2015, 12:59 pm
#28
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,369
I drink maybe six beers a year total in the SC. It would be nice those six times if I could get a decent beer. The other day I was thirsty in the SC but I waited an hour to get a beer on the plane instead. If DL is going to give me a beer, why does in matter where??
Ugg.
Ugg.
For wine, my strategy is the same as yours. Wine on board is so much better than what's in the SC (even though the wine DL serves on board isn't particularly good), but I'd like to be able to enjoy my SC snacks with decent wine rather than being forced to have SC food with water or coffee and follow them by a glass of wine on board.
May 27, 2015, 1:28 pm
#29
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,944
The last time I was in Utah, the rule--I'm not sure whether it was state or local--in my hotel was that you were required to order at least one food item every time you ordered alcohol of any sort. This applied in the restaurant as well as to room service, although one small food item was good for either one beer or a six pack, a glass or wine or a bottle, etc., so I think the restriction was "per round" of drinks. I don't know how many people the food item would cover.
Airline lounges (and "clubs" and "bars" out in the city) are exempt from that requirement, though.
The other curiosity is that anything over 4.0% ABV must be served in bottles (even in airport lounges). This explains why the SLC club's previously extensive collection of interesting (and complimentary) beer was all bottled rather than on tap
May 27, 2015, 1:32 pm
#30
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,944
For the truly curious, here's the full summary of the airport lounge license: http://abc.utah.gov/license/document...ort_lounge.pdf
It's super scoped - only one license per 2,500,000 annual passengers, airport must have an FIS/Customs facility and international service. At current numbers, that means the only eligible airport in Utah is SLC, and only 8 licenses total can be granted...
It's super scoped - only one license per 2,500,000 annual passengers, airport must have an FIS/Customs facility and international service. At current numbers, that means the only eligible airport in Utah is SLC, and only 8 licenses total can be granted...
