Alcohol Tastings In Big-Box, Grocery Stores in Southern California City

There will soon be a booze-sipping grotto for grocery and big-box store shoppers in a Southern California city.

The Corona City Council voted 3-2 on Wednesday to allow free instructional alcohol tastings in the retail businesses.

Sam’s Club and Albertsons asked the city to allow alcohol tastings in their stores.

But strict rules mean it will be difficult to get a buzz.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says there must be tasting areas that prohibit underage drinking.

And there are other restrictions: No more than three tastings per person per day of one-fourth of an ounce of alcohol, one ounce of wine and eight ounces of beer.

The state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control will issue instructional tasting licenses and a city planning official and police will review store applications.