I could rip on Utah all night. The Mormon Mecca has five different liquor licenses, only allows 3.2% beer, and until recently only allowed 1oz. of booze per drink.

As I previously reported, Utah passed a new liquor bill outlawing fruity malt beverages. The sensible part of the bill increased the standard pour from an ounce to the standard 1.5, but also changed the way stores can serve.

I had a few co-workers who had to go to Utah for business months ago. As most DC workers do, they stopped in to get a drink after work. Amidst the shocked (Shocked!) stares they each ordered more than one round of beers. Eventually they found their way into one of the “private” drinking clubs to and tried to order a proper drink. Although they couldn’t get a full-strength margarita, they did follow Utah tradition and ordered a tequila shot to accent their unleaded drinks.

The most recent changes to Utah’s booze laws don’t make it illegal to order a shot along with a drink – it’s just illegal to order the same type of alcohol. You want a shot of Jack Daniels with your beer? Go ahead. Just don’t try to order a second rum shot to top off your Rum and Coke.

I assume this new restriction is supposed to stop people from loading up their drinks. But like most prohibitive laws, this one screams unintended consequences.

What’s the worst that happens when someone gets and extra shot of gin for their gin and tonics? They usually drop the extra hooch into the drink, creating a slightly stronger highball. The game changes if they can’t combine. All of the sudden, instead of diluting the booze it get’s thrown straight down the gullet.

If someone is going to a bar, they generally go to count time, not drinks. Under the new law drinkers will consume more alcohol. A shot goes down much quicker on it’s own than in a mixed drink. Generally, people drink strong mixed drinks even slower than normal.

It get’s even worse if you want to stay faithful to your liquor of choice. This way you alternate chugging shots and highballs just to get a standard level of booze.

I don’t think the Utah Assembly really wants people to drink more. I just think alcohol is so alien to them they can’t make a rational decision about it.