Vermont's Quirky Drinking Laws

Author: Joshua Carson

Are you thinking about double fisting those two Busch Lights? What about dancing while sipping on your Jack and Coke? Well, if you are in the great state of Vermont, you had better not, especially if Investigator Melanie Boutin of the State of Vermont Liquor Control Board is on campus.

While she has not made a Saturday night appearance to the social houses this semester, Boutin was in The Grille Monday afternoon and has furnished a copy of the "Laws and Regulations Relative to the Sale of Alcoholic Liquor: 2001 Edition" to The Middlebury Campus for everyone's edification.

What follows is a selection of Vermont liquor laws that you may not be familiar with but you need to know.

Were you hoping the dim lighting would give you a better chance with the ladies?

"Lighting in restaurants and hotels shall be of such degree that the inspector or the licensee and his agents shall be able to read the identification cards of persons at the table or counter where the person is seated."

Leave your dancing shoes at home.

"It shall be the duty of all licensees to control the conduct of their patrons at all times. No person shall carry or consume alcoholic beverages while dancing."

We are not at Peel Pub anymore - no 140-ounce pitchers in Vermont.

"No malt beverages may be drawn or served otherwise than in glasses, mugs, and pitchers or other containers, of a maximum capacity of 32 ounces.

What about "Edward 40-Hands?"

"Not more than one [beer or shot] may be served to a customer at one time."

What? No flip-cup in the bar?

"Licensees shall not offer or permit games, contests or promotions which encourage the rapid or excessive consumption of alcohol beverages."

Were you thinking about running for the Student Government Association?

"A person who, directly or indirectly, gives intoxicating liquor to a freeman with intent to influence his vote at an election [...] or as a reward for voting as previously directed, shall be fined not more than $200.00."

Oh yeah, one last thing:

"No alcoholic liquor shall be sold or furnished by a licensee to a person under twenty-one years of age."

While some of these laws may seem archaic, Boutin explains that rationale does exist for still having them on the books.

Vermont is the only state in the area, to Boutin's knowledge, that still disallows two drinks to be served to an individual at the same time. She notes, however, that if someone is served two drinks, the server has no knowledge as to who will receive the second drink. The drink could be going to someone who is inebriated or underage.

She also said the law forbidding drinking while dancing is being reassessed because of the risk of having a date-rape drug slipped into the drink.

While you may not agree with all of the statutes, it is important to be aware of them because all fines are typically assessed to the person who owns the bar or registers the party.

Boutin promises, however, that she does not spend much time on campus, or at least "not as much as people think."