Video: Grocery stores to hold alcohol tastings

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OLYMPIA, Wash. - You'll soon be able to sample some wine or beer while picking up groceries for dinner. The Washington State Liquor Control Board on Wednesday released a list of 30 randomly selected grocery stores taking part in a wine and beer tasting pilot program, which kicks off this fall.

Samples will be limited to two ounces each, and customers can't have more than four ounces total.

Store employees will be required to observe all tasting participants in a designated tasting area to ensure that minors and apparently intoxicated persons cannot possess or consume alcohol.

AP

Supporters say it's a good way for local brewers and winemakers to promote their products, but some opponents say family-friendly grocery stores are the wrong place for this kind of sampling.

The pilot program will include seven Safeway stores, five Fred Meyer/QFC stores, two Haggen/Top Foods stores, and one Albertsons store. Locations will be selected in the coming weeks.

The following list of independently owned stores is tentative, pending verification of each store's eligibility.

- Dave's Market Place, 669 Lincoln Ave. E in Tenino
- Tacoma Boys, 5602 6th Ave. in Tacoma
- West Seattle Thriftway, 4201 SW Morgan St. in Seattle
- Stadium Thriftway, 618 N 1st St. in Tacoma
- Everett Grocery Outlet, 710 SE Everett Mall Way in Everett
- Matthew's at Lakemont, 4989 Lakemont Blvd. SE in Bellevue
- Blaine Cost Cutter No. 489, 1733 H St. No. 100 in Blaine
- Anacortes Food Pavilion No. 79, 1519 Commercial Ave. in Anacortes
- Metropolitan Market, 1618 SW Dash Point Rd. in Federal Way
- Metropolitan Market, 2420 N. Proctor in Tacoma
- Lynnwood Grocery Outlet, 19800 44th Ave. W Ste. G in Lynnwood
- Vashon Thriftway, 9740 SW Bank Rd. in Vashon
- Denny's Harvest Foods, 215 E SR 902 in Medical Lake
- Cowiche Harvest Foods, 16850 Summitview Rd. in Cowiche
- Rosauer's Super Market No. 2, 1808 W 3rd Ave. in Spokane