Complimentary Beer Policy

Unfortunately, Jude’s Barbershop cannot offer a complimentary beer at any of our locations. The Kent County Prosecutors Office and the Kent County Vice Unit stated that this practice violates state law and has requested that we no longer offer a complimentary beer to our customers. Because of this we decided to stop offering the beer. We have requested an opinion from the Attorney General’s office regarding the legality of our complimentary beer. When we get the opinion back we will post it on our web site. Until then, no free beer.

We are currently stuck with 30 cases (30 packs) of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. We are unable to give it away as they say it violates the law. We are unable to return it to Meijer because this is also illegal. We cannot sell it, again because it’s not lawful. We’d like to donate it before it goes bad. Email us, if you have any ideas or suggestions. We’d like to find a worthy cause. Maybe a benefit party used to raise money for a needed family or something like that. (Please read update below)

Update 4/2/08

Click Here to view a PDF document from the Attorney General on the issue.

A word from Jude's Barbershop owner, Thomas Martin:

No beer, no beer, no beer.  It’s unfortunate that the Attorney General’s opinion of our complimentary beer practice was found to be illegal.  I appreciate the Attorney General taking the time to provide such a detailed opinion and do not disagree with it.  At least we have some clarity on the issue.  The Attorney General’s opinion applies to all businesses in the entire state of Michigan, not just Jude’s Barbershop.  I know that most salons, spas and nail salons offer wine to their customers, which is also illegal.  We will be sending a copy of the opinion to many of these businesses, within Kent and Ottawa counties, with a letter requesting their support on the issue.
 
It was after the vice unit came into 3 of our locations last November that I contacted Representative Kevin Green’s office to make a formal request to the Attorney General.

I’m guessing that we were singled out for enforcement because of our popularity and success.
 
We are currently talking to a state representative and a state senator on proposing legislation to change the law to make offering a complimentary beer or glass of wine to customers legal.   
It has been a long standing tradition in the salon and barbershop industry not only Michigan but also the rest of this country and Canada as well.   Insurance policies for the industry have built-in coverage for liability regarding offering complimentary alcoholic drinks to customers.
 
Offering a complimentary beer to customers is not something that we thought up.  It’s just one of the many old fashioned services that we brought back, and put into a modern atmosphere.
 
Media coverage of our situation has extended to be reported on both nationally and throughout Canada.  I’ve done radio interviews and received phone calls and email of support from all over the country and Canada as well.  The reason that this issue has been so far-reaching is that no one can believe that it could be illegal.  They think it’s crazy that giving away a beer to your customer is illegal.
 
The left over beer that we had was donated to charity.