New alcoholic beverages are set to arrive in Utah stores beginning this August following the completion of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services' Summer 2026 product listing review. The review, which concluded in June, approved dozens of new items across several categories, including tequila and rum, while identifying several existing brands for removal from the state's approved list.
Summer 2026 Listing Results
The Summer 2026 cycle focused on categories including gin, rum, tequila, orange wine, fruit wine, rosé wine, boxed wine, and 1500mL wine. According to the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services, the goal of this structured review process is to maintain a balanced assortment, improve category performance, and create space for innovation and new variety.
Of the products reviewed, the department approved 161 new tequila listings and 101 new rum listings. The expansion continued in other categories, with 74 new gin listings and 21 new rosé wine listings. The department also approved 72 new orange wine listings and 50 new fruit wine listings.
As part of the rotation, the department identified several products for delisting to make room for new inventory. Delisted tequila brands include Alipus XX Anniversario San Juan Del Rio, Don Julio 1942 Rosado Reposado, Don Julio Alma Miel, Dulce Vida Organic Reposado, Juan in a Million Extra Anejo, Lunazul Tequila Anejo, Mango Shotta, Patron Gran Burdeos Anejo, Patron Piedra Anejo, Rabbit & Grass Blanco Agave Spirit, Sauza Blue Reposado, Sauza Blue Silver, Tequila Baluarte Anejo XV Months, Tequila Comisario Blanco, and Xicaru Pechuqa Mole Mezcal.
Other items slated for removal include Admiral Nelson Coconut Rum, Aristocrat White Rum, Bacardi Mango Chile Rum, Captain Morgan Sweet Chili Lime Rum, Conciere Silver Rum, Dented Brick Premium Rum, Kirk & Sweeney XO Rum, Malibu Passion Fruit Rum, Proverbial Loose Lips Rum, Ron Abuelo Anejo Rum Res Especial, and Salt Flats Well's It's Rum.
Standardized Listing Process
The implementation of these changes follows a structured annual schedule established by the state. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services began conducting four distinct listing cycles each year to balance innovation with customer demand.
The Summer cycle, which informs the August on-shelf availability, requires submissions by April 30 and decisions by the first week of June. This follows the Spring cycle and precedes the Fall cycle, which focuses on beer, cider, whiskey, and sparkling wines. A Winter cycle, focusing on tequila, brandy, and liqueurs, is scheduled for February on-shelf dates.
To qualify for a listing, vendors must submit applications through the state's online licensing and permitting system. This includes providing high-resolution product images, UPC codes, and federal Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) documentation. The evaluation process involves an initial screening by a purchasing agent and a subsequent committee review by representatives from DABS Purchasing, Merchandising, and Retail Enterprise.
Commission Oversight
The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services is overseen by the Alcoholic Beverage Services Commission, a seven-member body appointed by the governor. The commission serves as the general policymaking body for alcoholic product control and services in the state.
Commission members are responsible for setting policy, making rules, and overseeing the issuance or revocation of licenses and permits. The commission also reviews the day-to-day operations of the DABS staff. The current commission includes Chair Steve Handy, Vice Chair Jennifer Tarazon, and members Christopher Conabee, Jacquelyn Orton, Falyn Owens, Juliette Tennert, and Tara Thue.
Public meetings are held monthly at the Multi-Agency State Office Building in Salt Lake City. The commission is scheduled to meet next on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Market and Education
The state's beverage landscape continues to evolve through professional education and diverse retail offerings. Francis Fecteau, a wine educator and owner of Libation, teaches courses at the University of Utah, focusing on topics such as the pleasure of Pinot Noir and value wines. Fecteau, who has been in the wine business since 1996, also leads 'Green Camp,' an event for Utah restaurateurs regarding the connection between farming and winemaking.
Local establishments, such as Salt Lake City's Lake Effect, continue to offer a wide range of spirits and cocktails. Recent menu offerings include various cocktails featuring ingredients like Novo Fogo Cachaça, Logia Peruvian Pisco, and various mezcals, reflecting the diverse availability of spirits within the state's regulatory framework.
Inventory Transition
While new products are being entered into state systems for August arrival, the department notes that delisted items may remain available in stores until existing inventory is depleted. This management strategy ensures that existing stock is sold through while simultaneously making room for the new variety approved in the Summer 2026 cycle.
Department Mission
The Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services remains committed to safely and efficiently serving patrons while supporting the state's economy and tourism through regulated product availability.
