There was a time that the largely Mormon state of Utah made getting an alcoholic drink nearly impossible.  I used to make connecting flights at the Salt Lake City airport and had to buy a $5.00 permit to get a drink in an airport bar.  At some point they discovered that this policy was harmful to the economy because professionals didn’t want to move there so they let up a bit.  It appears they are moving in the other direction again.

For the first time in 40 years, people attending Oktoberfest at the Snowbird Ski Resort may have to go without beer if the state of Utah has its way.

The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (UDABC) warned this week that it was cracking down on businesses that request single-use liquor permits.

“We’re trying to send a signal that we are tightening up and we are reluctant to grant [single-event permits] to for-profit organizations,” Chairman David Gladwell told the state liquor commission on Tuesday, according to the The Salt Lake Tribune. “For those who have applied in the past, this is a change of direction and one that is probably unsettling.”

Perhaps the Mormons realize they are losing the war on gay marriage but declaring a ware on alcohol does not seem like a great move.  This is nothing short of theocracy and their economy will suffer.