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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

WA Lege Day 58: ‘Dry Fly’ bill headed to gov

OLYMPIA -- A bill that would allow craft distilleries like Spokane's Dry Fly Distillery to grow as much as three times larger moved through the Senate this morning on final passage.

The bill allows the small liquor makers that have started to spring up around the state in the last two years to make up to 60,000 gallons a year. Dry Fly, the first distillery set up under the law, has reached the law's current capacity limit and is looking to expand. It has sold out several batches of its wheat whiskey in a few hours.

"We have the opportunity on this Thuisday to toast sine die -- hopefully -- with perhaps products from Dry Fly" or some of the other distilleries, Sen. Chris Marr, D-Spokane, the sponsor of the bill, said.

While there may be some who doubt sine die, the end of the session will actually occur on Thursday, Sen. Tim Sheldon, D-Hoodsport, had another caveat: "If he's going to toasting anything in the Legislative Building, He better get a special $10 permit from the Liquor Control Board."

Bill goes to the governor for her signature.



The Spokesman-Review's political team keeps a critical eye on local, state and national politics.