New liquor law promises big business for Iowa distilleries
Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill into law Tuesday that will allow distilleries to sell liquor by the glass.
Iowa distilleries will be able to serve spirits.
Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill into law Tuesday that will allow distilleries to sell liquor by the glass.
It's a change that Iowa distilleries have been working with lawmakers on for years. Distilleries in Iowa have not been allowed to sell spirits because of a law dating back to the Prohibition era.
Iowa Distilling Co. owner Kyle Doyle said he is excited that Iowa law is finally keeping up with the times.
“People expect to be able to have a drink when they come into a distillery,” Doyle said.
Doyle said he has already begun to plan how he will add a tasting room to Iowa Distilling Co.
“So people can see everything from the fermentation to the distillation to the bottling and then out the door,” Doyle said.
Doyle said being able to serve cocktails at his distillery will be great for tourism in Cumming.
“This is going to be a big draw for everybody, to have a distillery that people can come to and enjoy the small-town Iowa experience only 15 minutes away from Des Moines,” Doyle said.
The existing Iowa law only allows distilleries to give out two half-ounce samples per person and patrons are only allowed to buy two standard-size bottles of spirits.
“It’s like literally opening up a whole new business,” Dehner Distillery owner Joseph Dehner said.
Dehner, who runs his own distillery in Clive, said he is looking forward to being able to sell his own product to customers.
Come July, visitors will be allowed to buy up to 12 bottles a day at Iowa distilleries, making it easier to buy for a large event.
“It really allows us distilleries to do what we do best: make good spirits and offer those to said patrons,” Dehner said.
