Half-ounce of booze: Governor Walker signs bill allowing liquor sampling at grocery stores

MADISON (AP) — Mini-shots of hard alcohol will soon be offered at liquor and grocery stores in Wisconsin under a bill Gov. Scott Walker has signed into law.

The Distilled Spirits Council announced Wednesday, April 8th that Walker had signed the measure in a private ceremony. The measure easily passed the Legislature with bipartisan support.

Retailers with liquor licenses will be able to offer customers no more than one half-ounce of booze, the equivalent of a third of a shot.

State law already permits stores to offer beer and wine samples. Supporters of the bill say offering the free mini-shots will help distilleries and other liquor sellers compete with breweries and winemakers.

The Distilled Spirits Council says 46 states now allow for some form of liquor sampling.