And some movies will drive you to drink

Blue laws from state to state are, in a word, strange. For example, in Utah you can buy beer in a grocery store. But not wine. No, vino you have to get in a liquor store, where bottles of Syrah, Chardonnay and – for “Sideways” fans – Pinot Noir sit next to whiskeys, scotches and vodkas. And don’t even get me started on what you have to do to drink in a restaurant (think “club”).

When you buy beer from a liquor store, conversely, you buy merchandise priced by the bottle. That’s why when a young woman standing in front of me in line a few minutes ago blanched when the clerk told her that the cost of a six-pack of Pacifico was $11.90. She put it back.

Then, when I was leaving, a group of young guys was attempting to buy a couple of cases of Stella Artois . Their eyes got big when the clerk pulled out his box cutter and ripped open the case.

“I have to tag each one,” he said. I didn’t wait around to see how big their eyes were likely going to get when they heard the price.

Oh, and by the way, when I left I had two bottles of Australian Shiraz in my arms.