Strong products from Budweiser, Coors now for sale
It’s not cold yet, but it has arrived and it is for sale. Strong beer products from breweries such as Anheuser-Busch and Miller-Coors are being shipped to Oklahoma retailers. Consumers can currently purchase the product only from liquor stores, and only at room temperature, until Oct. 1.
In the wake of the passage of SQ 792 in 2016, new distribution laws took effect on Sept. 1. These changes allow retailers such as grocery stores and convenience stores to receive strong beer products they intend to sell in October when licenses for these retailers become active.
However, liquor stores across the state are already licensed to sell such products, and many stores are now selling full-strength products like Coors, Budweiser and more. Shipments began to arrive last week, and some local retailers, such as Pancho’s Liquortown at6801 N Meridian Ave, are already selling in high volume.
“I started selling it over the weekend and I sold a ton of it,” Pancho’s Partner Brenda Wilson said. “Come and get it, baby.”
The sales are an appreciated jump on the transition to October, when liquor stores will be competing with grocery stores and convenience stores on the sale of wine and strong beer — something previously unavailable in those stores.
“It’s all going to be retail liquor stores right now,” Wilson said. “We’ve got at least a one month advantage over the grocery stores.”
The products still can’t be chilled. That must wait for Oct. 1, but Midwest Wine & Spirits Owner Lisa Newport said customers visiting her store at 2301 S Douglas in Midwest City have responded positively anyway.
“We’ve had a lot of people come in,” Newport said. “They’re really excited just to see it in the store and just to have it in the store.”
Newport received its first delivery from Miller-Coors on Sept. 4, and is expecting its first delivery from AnheuserBusch on Wednesday.
Grocery and convenience stores also are receiving shipments, but will wait to sell. The preparation is necessary to begin October with inventory.
“Retailers are carefully planning their transition to cold, strong beer,” Oklahoma Beer Alliance President Lisette Barnes said. “That’s why our distributor members are working so diligently to have the new brands and varieties available now so all of their retail partners can have the same great selection for customers.”