'Alco-pops' bill passes to 3rd Senate reading

A 178-page bill that would alter how much booze constitutes a "drink," where so-called "alco-pops" can be sold and a litany of other various alcohol-related code changes, passed to its third reading in the Senate Monday on a 22-7 vote.

SB211, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, would increase the single-pour size from one ounce to 1 1/2 ounces, while simultaneously reducing the total amount of of liquor that can be served to a patron at one time from 2.75 ounces to 2.5 ounces. It also moves the sale of malted beverages under 3.2 percent alcohol — so-called "alco-pops" — to state liquor stores.