Missouri House Bill HB2646

Missouri 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/24
• Refer: 3/28/24

Caption

Designates J. Rieger & Co. the official Kansas City whiskey of Missouri

Impact

By designating J. Rieger & Co. as the official Kansas City whiskey, the bill would symbolically recognize and promote local distilling traditions in Missouri. This could lead to increased interest in Kansas City's heritage within the distilled spirits industry and potentially boost tourism and local business associated with the whiskey culture. The legislation aims not only to promote a local business but also to create a sense of identity and pride among Kansas City residents.

Summary

House Bill 2646 proposes the designation of J. Rieger & Co. as the official Kansas City whiskey for the state of Missouri. The bill seeks to honor the legacy of J. Rieger & Co., which was the largest mail-order whiskey house in the United States prior to Prohibition. With the revival of the company in 2015, it marks the return of whiskey distilled in Kansas City, thus making it historically significant in the context of local alcohol production and distribution.

Contention

While the current text of the bill does not indicate significant opposition or contention, it is possible that there may be debates surrounding the implications of such designations on branding and market competition within the distilled spirits industry. Some might argue that official state designations could favor certain businesses over others, raising questions about fairness and the selection process for future designations.