Yes the liquor laws in Utah are pretty strange. But it is not surpirsing when you realize that all of the members of the alcohol board are mormons whoe probably never drank and also believe that drinking alcohol is a mortal sin. (At least that is how was a few years ago).

I remember a visit there and it was illegal for the bar tenders to poor a full glass of wine. It could only be like 1/4 full. you had to finish your current drink before ordering another and the funniest part was the limiters on the liquor bottles that would only allow a predetermined amount to be poored at a time. Maybe that made measuring a little easier, but it was very difficult to get a strong (decent) drink. Not to mention, your paying high prices for anything decent.

But, I'm just a drink lover so for that reason I stay clear of the state (I'm not an outdoorsman - so there is not much pull).

If you are not into strong drinks, it may not be an issue to you. Besides, you can probably sneak some stuff in from other states.

But I have to ask, are you sure you want to rule out the east coast?