■ Just two states remain with 3.2 percent beer, as three others boost the alcohol in their brews.

Hops fans in three states getting increased access

OKLAHOMA CITY — Beer snobs are raising their mugs to stronger brews in three states that once forbade grocers from selling anything but low-alcohol brands, and the changes could indirectly chill the industry in two others where such regulations remain.

Until October, Oklahoma grocery and convenience stores could stock beer with only up to 3.2 percent alcohol content — considerably lower than even leading light beer brands. Liquor stores were able to sell stronger 8.99 percent beer but were prohibited from selling cold beer of any strength.

Voter-approved changes now allow stronger ales to be sold in Oklahoma grocery and convenience stores. And many of the changes are being adopted this year in the adjoining states of Colorado and Kansas.

The beer revolution will leave just two states — Utah and Minnesota — where only 3.2 percent beer may be sold in grocery and convenience stores. Beer industry observers say how lawmakers in those states react to the changes could determine whether the future of low-point beer in the U.S is as flat as a week-old lager. Half of the nation’s 3.2 beer market was in Oklahoma and an additional 20 percent was in Colorado.

“It is a dramatic drop,” said Brett Robinson, president of Beer Distributors of Oklahoma, which represents some beer distributors in the state. “In Oklahoma now, beer is just beer. There is no more definition or classification.”

Oklahoma was the first of the nation’s five 3.2-beer states to make the switch. That’s ironic considering alcohol was illegal until voters repealed statewide prohibition in 1959 — 26 years after Prohibition was repealed nationally.

“It was a long time coming,” said Lisette Barnes, president of the Oklahoma Beer Alliance, a beer industry trade association. “It’s refreshing. I think overwhelmingly people are excited about it. It’s been a good thing for both industry and consumers.”

As the market for “baby beer” continues to shrink, brewers must decide whether it’s profitable to continue to make it — a decision that could cause low-point beer supplies to dry up in Utah and Minnesota.

Sue Ogrocki The Associated Press Sean Mossman, director of sales and marketing for COOP Ale Works, draws a beer in the COOP taproom Friday in Oklahoma City. Grocery and convenience stores in Oklahoma can now sell beer with more than 3.2 percent alcohol content.