Legislature OKs overhaul of Wisconsin alcohol laws governing beer, wine and spirits sales

The state Legislature on Tuesday approved a massive overhaul of Wisconsin's alcohol industry, following years of negotiation and nearly a decade of infighting over what industry professionals said were confusing and unclear state laws governing beer, wine and spirits sales.

The measure passed the Senate in a bipartisan 21-11 vote, five months after a similar version cleared the Assembly on a 90-4 vote. The Assembly signed off on the Senate's vote late Tuesday afternoon, with a bipartisan 88-10 vote.

The proposal clarifies a host of alcohol regulations in the state, touching everything from who can invest in new alcohol businesses, to winery operations, to when bars close during the Republican National Convention next summer. Alcohol producers would be allowed to sell their products without a tap room or production facility on site, and winemakers could stay open past 9 p.m. into the early morning hours, similar to most bars.

Supporters have billed the plan as a rare and historic compromise. It has received broad support from Kwik Trip, New Glarus Brewing Co. and other business groups in the alcohol industry.