Headed to Governor Walker's desk: Senate passes bill that would allow liquor samples at grocery stores

MADISON (AP) — Mini-shots of hard alcohol could be offered to sample at Wisconsin liquor and grocery stores under a bill headed to Gov. Scott Walker for his consideration.

The state Senate passed it on a voice vote Tuesday, March 17th without debate. The bill also easily cleared the Assembly last month on a voice vote.

Retailers with liquor licenses could provide customers with one half-ounce of booze, the equivalent of a third of a shot.

Customers could only have one hard alcohol sample a day.

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.

Similar bills failed in 2012 and 2014.