Proposal could allow for hard liquor samples at your neighborhood grocery store

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin grocery shoppers may soon be able to sample mini-shots of hard liquor in an aisle near them.

The Assembly's government operations committee will vote Tuesday on a bill that would allow retailers with liquor licenses to provide mini-shots of booze to their customers. The measure would allow shoppers to sample one 0.5-ounce sample of hard alcohol, the equivalent of one-third a shot.

Rep. Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, says he sponsored the bill to level the playing field for distilleries and other liquor producers as they compete with breweries and wineries, which can offer samples.

Kleefisch says he is confident the bill will pass a committee vote Tuesday. If approved, the bill would move to a vote in the Assembly.

A similar bill is under consideration in the Senate