Behind Zion's Curtain

Alcohol beverage control states or better termed, alcohol monopoly states have some control over the wholesale & retail of alcoholic beverages. This control grew out of the religious backed temperance movement in the early 1900′s. Utah is one of of the last states that wield complete control of the wholesaling and retail distribution of any alcoholic beverage over 3.2% ABW (4% by volume ABV).

Utah’s dominante religion based legislature has set the purpose of the Utah DABC as follows:

The purpose of control is to make liquor available to those adults who choose to drink responsibly – but not to promote the sale of liquor. By keeping liquor out of the private marketplace, no economic incentives are created to maximize sales, open more liquor stores or sell to underage persons. Instead, all policy incentives to promote moderation and to enforce existing liquor laws is enhanced.

Studio 1909 is proud to present a feature film project Liquor Behind Zion’s Curtain, a look into how the predominate religion of Utah has crafted, influence and changed prohibition-era laws to suite their religious purposes.

Planned release Fall 2012.

Del Vance – The Beerhive Pub (http://ow.ly/aTHrj ), Mark Alston – The Bayou (http://ow.ly/aTHya) & Beer Nut (http://ow.ly/aTHCf ), Benjamin Raskin (http://ow.ly/aTHI0) and Mike Reidel (http://ow.ly/aTHLD) all weigh in on Utah’s Zion’s Curtain law.

Produced & Created by Jason Vance
Photography by Tony Martinez & Jason Vance
Sound & Music by Thomas Cook

A Studio 1909 production: http://www.studio1909.com/

We’ve been hard at work on a new trailer for our first feature legnth production, “Liquor Behind Zion’s Curtain”. We’ve been busy interviewing the likes of Del Vance of The Beerhive Pub, Mark Alston of the Bayou and The Beernut, Mike Reidel of http://utahbeer.blogspot.com/ and Benjamin Raskins of https://bennyraskin.wordpress.com/. We discussed many things including, the “Zion’s Curtain”, think of the children and how politicians forgot their basic science class.

A few weeks ago the SL Tribune reported that 18 businesses were waiting for license when there is only 3-4 available each month. After doing some homework and sending some well though out GRAMMA requests to the Utah DABC in early January 2012 I was given a list of licensee waiting for permission to do business or permission to change their business model from the Utah DABC. When I received this information we found that there was 18 new businesses waiting, but more than 60 business were waiting for changes or permission to change their business as they see fit. Utah’s lawmakers that try and tell you that they are for free markets are really about regulating business that they don’t agree with.

January 2012 Licensees Waiting List

According to Utah laws in January 2012, The number of licenses available are as follows:

• Banquet Catering Licenses – approximately 17 available
• Club Licenses – None Available
• Manufacturer Representative – No Quota
• Manufacturing Winery – No Quota
• Brewer Located Outside of Utah – No Quota
• Restaurant Beer – No Quota (No Licenses until March 2012)
• Full Service Restaurant – Approximately 11 available
• Limited Restaurant – 19 Available
• Scientific / Educational – No Quota
• Single Event – No Quota
• Temporary Beer – No Quota
• Tavern – On Premise Beer – Approximately 9 available

On January 10th, 2012 nearly 100 frustrated citizens and business owners spoke out against the outrageous liquor laws in Utah. The DABC Review Committee wanted citizens input as to how to change the liquor laws with the pious legislators on the hill. The committee is made up of Democratic Representatives, small business owners and other’s involved in the liquor business. Conspicuously absent was the Mormon Church.

Some of the Blog Roundups from the Meeting:

City Weekly – Independent DABC Committee Taps A Keg Of Bar-Owner Frustration 

SL Trib - McEntee: Citizens ask lawmakers to get real about liquor

Faux News - DABC committee takes public input over liquor regulation

Salt Lake City Magazine - Town hall meeting about Utah’s DABC reached consensus: It makes no sense. Go to reviewdabc.com to give your opinion.

Utah Beer: DABC Meeting Highlights

While the staff here doubts that there will be any real change as the state is run by a theocracy, you can vent your gripes at ReviewDABC@Gmail.com.

A good sizable chunk of Utah’s economy depends upon tourists coming to the state to enjoy the powder. Here’s one person’s perspective on Utah’s liquor laws and how they affect the average skier trying to get an end of the day drink after spending time skiing.

I found this gem while doing research on the State of Utah’s perception from the ouside “Gentiles” that visit this state.

Zion’s Curtain

[zahy-uhnz kur-tn]

noun

1. Zion’s Curtain is where The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints uses their predominate influence, specifically Utah & Idaho, to pushing their values on the masses of non mormons (Gentiles). The term is analogous to the “Iron Curtain” coined by Winston Churchill to describe the formerly communist Eastern European nations after World War II.

Behind Zion’s Curtain started as a personal project by to chronology the antics of the bureaucrats and crooked politicians of Utah, Idaho and sometimes Wyoming. Utah in general has a perceived view of “peculiar people” . It’s stems from their “Beliefs” in their religion and how they feel it’s their duty to convert the gentiles of this land to their believe.

The arrogant and pious politicians of this State of Utah drive me nuts to the point of wanting to run for political office. However, my wife has flat out told me that if I run for office like the rest of the criminal politicians, she’ll divorce me. I’ve taken this project as my mission to document their antics and put them in the spotlight.

Our first documentary will focus on the insane and archaic liquor laws in the State of Utah. These laws are based on religious values and prohibition. They are not based on sound reasoning, logic or statistics. Some of the Politicians reasoning almost sounds good. Reducing underage drinking and not “Promoting” the sale of liquor. The Mormon Politicians that make everyone follow these rules have an ulterior motive as to why they’ve crafted the blue laws. They are pious, arrogant and vindictive of the gentiles that choose not to follow their wild and wacky ways.

Hence, we will explore “Liquor Behind Zion’s Curtain” in the upcoming months. You’ll be able to see shorts here on the website as we put together the documentary.

Once we’ve explored Liquor Laws Behind Zion’s Curtain, we have other projects in mind, including Sex Behind Zion’s Curtain, Children Behind Zion’s Curtain and any other projects that we may find interesting. We’d love to hear from you about what you think would be interesting subjects.

J. Vance