Did you know that North Carolina used to be the nation’s leader in locally owned and operated distilleries? It’s true. In 1904 the state had 745 registered distilleries, 540 of which were operating. And they were all outlawed, an entire industry destroyed, by a series of laws culminating in voters passing the first statewide prohibition in the South in 1908.It won't be the last industry destroyed in the name of "progress," if certain people get their way.
Free Spirits
Part one and two of a study urging free market reforms for North Carolina's hard liquor industry. North Carolina has one of the most vibrant microbrewery and winery markets going, but hard liquor here is still controlled by "Alcoholic Beverage Control" councils operated not by the state but by 140 local governments. As you might expect, that leads to non-optimal results.
I wonder if the bootleggers secretly contributed to campaigns to support the state-owned liquor stores.
ReplyDeleteLikely enough. There was as you know very often a partnership between bootleggers and at least local police.
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