Brewery owners explain liquor-by-the-drink ballot question

Proponents of a liquor-by-the-drink ballot question say the measure could be a benefit to economic development in Bourbon County.

The question for Bourbon County on the ballot for the Nov. 6 election reads, “Shall the sale of alcohol liquor by the individual drink in Bourbon County, Kansas, be allowed in public places without a requirement that any portion of their gross sales be from the sale of food?”

Bryan Ritter, brewer at the Boiler Room Brewhaus, told the Tribune the question is worded exactly the same as a ballot question in front of Bourbon County voters more than 30 years ago. Ritter and his wife, Barbara, run the local microbrewery, where patrons can watch the beer-making process and sample products.

“The question is a little deceptive. It’s based on the 1987 original wording,” he said. “They had three choices; to remain a dry county, adopt the sale of food rule, or just say there’s no limitations on any place that sells liquor by the drink, such as food sales.”

Ritter said that original question reads “any portion of sales,” which Ritter said could mean “anywhere from 1 to 99 (percent.)” Under current law, 30 percent of the gross income of establishments that sell liquor by the drink must come from food sales.

“Crawford County voted to have no limitations,” he said. “Bourbon County voted to have a portion of gross receipts from the sale of food.”

Ritter said his business currently sells some food items, such as corn dogs and hot dogs and other small snacks that go with beer, as well as non-alcoholic products, but has to charge for the snacks to try to meet the food sales requirement.

“And we don’t mind doing that (selling food),” he said. “It’s probably drawn people here who otherwise wouldn’t have come.”

Ritter said he has asked people he has talked to about the ballot question if they want a “tourism town or do you want it to die?”

The only way to comply with the law now is “to be a restaurant and have a kitchen,” Ritter said.

See the print or online edition of the Tribune for complete story.