Oklahoma liquor laws

[TheTravellers]

I am hoping we get more create your own six-pack options in the OKC/Norman area under the new laws. Currently, the best I've found is down at The Cellar in Norman, but it's rather expensive. In DFW, there are a bunch of places where you can build your own for $10.99 or so, would love to see something similar up here.

The places I've seen that have build-your-own-6-pack just charge whatever each beer costs individually (Grand Cru and Freeman's). They have shelves full of singles, and you can pick out any number you want, from 1 to 100, doesn't have to be limited to multiples of 6. Been that way for years.

[Bill Robertson]

The places I've seen that have build-your-own-6-pack just charge whatever each beer costs individually (Grand Cru and Freeman's). They have shelves full of singles, and you can pick out any number you want, from 1 to 100, doesn't have to be limited to multiples of 6. Been that way for years.

I haven’t been in there for awhile but Sean’s on NW Expressway and Rockwell did this. I would assume they still do.

[Bill Robertson]

My wife likes the little bottles of White Zinfandel. I know, it’s not considered real wine by connoisseurs but she likes it. She was happy to see Homeland has her two favorite brands ready for Oct 1.

[Jeepnokc]

. Currently, the best I've found is down at The Cellar in Norman, but it's rather expensive. .

The Cellar and their sister store Grand Cru (husband and wife) are ridiculously expensive. 15 -20% higher on a lot of stuff and they jack up the price of highly allocable bottles 100-400%. Any store in Norman will be cheaper as well as The Well on Memorial Road. Quicker Liquor on SW89th and May will let you make your own 6 pack.

[d-usa]

Was listening to people complain yesterday that they have been to 6 gas stations and haven’t been able to find any beer anywhere. I would have thought at some point they would just go to a liquor store...

[ctchandler]

Was listening to people complain yesterday that they have been to 6 gas stations and haven’t been able to find any beer anywhere. I would have thought at some point they would just go to a liquor store...

But they don't have 3.2 beer and some of us would like to have that. I have a kegerator with two 1/6th barrels of COOP F-5 but I still enjoy 3.2 cans occasionally. I realize it is history but I wish I had stocked up on it.
C. T.

[sooner88]

My dad has been stocking up on 3.2 because he doesn't want to drink beer with "double the alcohol". I've tried to explain that the difference in domestics is relatively negligible (~1%), but it seems like a lot of people still don't realize the difference.

[d-usa]

Throw an ice cube or two in your can and you’re pretty much there.

[SEMIweather]

Thanks all for the recommendations on other places that have a build your own six pack.

[Bunty]

My dad has been stocking up on 3.2 because he doesn't want to drink beer with "double the alcohol". I've tried to explain that the difference in domestics is relatively negligible (~1%), but it seems like a lot of people still don't realize the difference.

Or drink half as much as before, if still not convinced. For me, I can't tell any distinct difference. I'm not surprised.

[catch22]

The places I've seen that have build-your-own-6-pack just charge whatever each beer costs individually (Grand Cru and Freeman's). They have shelves full of singles, and you can pick out any number you want, from 1 to 100, doesn't have to be limited to multiples of 6. Been that way for years.

In Portland it was acceptable to take apart whatever you wanted in the beer aisle. For example, if you wanted just 1 F5, you could grab a 6-pack and just break one off. Or find a 6-pack that was already missing a few and take what was left.

[BridgeBurner]

Man, I didn't realize how spoiled I was with the Cellar in Norman when I was going to OU and just turned 21, probably x5 the beer selection of Byron's. I was down in Norman for the OU game and had to stop in just for old times sake- and of course they had the beer out-of-state buddy had just been looking for in Byron's the weekend before.

[bchris02]

I guess I don't understand the affinity for 3.2 beer. Granted, I was living elsewhere when I started drinking and after moving back to Oklahoma I could never get used to 3.2 beer. I might feel differently if I started drinking on 3.2 and drank only that for decades. For me, it's the watered down taste that I mostly dislike as I'm aware that the alcohol content isn't as different as most people think. I am highly looking forward to finally having real beer and wine in the grocery store, a luxury that I believe in a few years Okie drinkers will wonder how they made it so long without.

[Mballard85]

I guess I don't understand the affinity for 3.2 beer. Granted, I was living elsewhere when I started drinking and after moving back to Oklahoma I could never get used to 3.2 beer. I might feel differently if I started drinking on 3.2 and drank only that for decades. For me, it's the watered down taste that I mostly dislike as I'm aware that the alcohol content isn't as different as most people think. I am highly looking forward to finally having real beer and wine in the grocery store, a luxury that I believe in a few years Okie drinkers will wonder how they made it so long without.

To be honest bchris, I think people are just used to it, Oklahoma as a whole normally drinks domestic beer so they are used to that. It will take time, but they will get used to the "higher point" beer, the difference is very minimal. If you drank for flavor, you will be fine with high point; Bud, Coors, Miller, etc. I was the same way until I started into craft beer, at that point drinking anything from the grocery store was a bad time.

[bchris02]

To be honest bchris, I think people are just used to it, Oklahoma as a whole normally drinks domestic beer so they are used to that. It will take time, but they will get used to the "higher point" beer, the difference is very minimal. If you drank for flavor, you will be fine with high point; Bud, Coors, Miller, etc. I was the same way until I started into craft beer, at that point drinking anything from the grocery store was a bad time.

I doubt I would be as into craft beer as I am if not for Oklahoma's liquor laws. Before I moved back here I was mostly a full-flavored Bud/Coors drinker or would drink stuff like Sam Adams, Rolling Rock, Stella, etc. Occasionally I would drink imports but rarely locally-brewed craft brews.

[Pete]

If you are going to drink cheap, widely produced beer like Bud, Miller and Corona I bet almost no one will even notice the difference in taste or alcohol content.

Bud Light 4.2%
Bud Select 4.3%
Corona 4.6%
Miller Light 4.2%
Coors 5%
Sam Adams 4.9%

[BoulderSooner]

If you are going to drink cheap, widely produced beer like Bud, Miller and Corona I bet almost no one will even notice the difference in taste or alcohol content.

Bud Light 4.2%
Bud Select 4.3%
Corona 4.6%
Miller Light 4.2%
Coors 5%
Sam Adams 4.9%

I will add that the “3.2” bud light miller light etc. was 4.0% alcohol in comparison.

[Pete]

^
Which explains that when I've had those beers elsewhere, I never even noticed a difference when compared to those sold in OK.

[bchris02]

I'm going to have to disagree on the taste. 3.2 beer does taste more watery than the full-strength version of the same product. To some people this might not matter but for me it always did, especially since I started drinking in a state where 3.2 beer is a distant memory and became accustomed to the taste of the full-strength stuff. I'm primarily looking forward to better tasting domestics, not higher ABV domestics.

[Pete]

I'm going to have to disagree on the taste. 3.2 beer does taste more watery than the full-strength version of the same product. To some people this might not matter but for me it always did, especially since I started drinking in a state where 3.2 beer is a distant memory and became accustomed to the taste of the full-strength stuff. I'm primarily looking forward to better tasting domestics, not higher ABV domestics.

So, there is a big taste difference in beers with an variance in ABV of 1% or less? Not buying it.

You either like that sort of beer or you don't.

[HangryHippo]

While not near as big of a deal as the draconian liquor laws the state is finally ditching on October 1st, one thing I would like to see reformed is how last call is handled. I'd love to see some kind of provision for after hours clubs to serve alcohol. Arkansas has a limited number of establishments in the state's largest cities that can stay open and serve alcohol until 5AM. I'd also like to see existing ABC-3 licenses modified so that establishments simply had to stop serving alcohol at 2AM instead of having to have everyone kicked out by that time. 18-20 year-olds should also be able to get into ABC-3 establishments even if they are unable to drink.

So, there is a big taste difference in beers with an variance in ABV of 1% or less? Not buying it.

You either like that sort of beer or you don't.

I'm not sure I taste it to the extent I think bchris does, but I have noticed a difference in taste of the domestics at 3.2 versus the full-strength stuff - particularly Budweiser products.

[Pete]

I'd argue that is an imagined taste difference. It's hard to believe less than 1% difference in ABV would be noticeable.

[bchris02]

So, there is a big taste difference in beers with an variance in ABV of 1% or less? Not buying it.

In my opinion that depends on how you look at it. That extra 1% ABV is approximately 25% more alcohol compared to the 4.0% ABV version. The taste difference comes from the fact the brewers water down their full-strength products to meet the 3.2% ABW (4.0% ABV) cap. It's not a huge difference for most beers at least but it is noticeable, especially if you are used to drinking the full-strength version. The higher ABV the full-strength product is, the more watery the 3.2 version tastes.

Anyways, the days of trying to defend 3.2 beer are nearing an end. It will be gone in six days.

[HangryHippo]

I'd argue that is an imagined taste difference. It's hard to believe less than 1% difference in ABV would be noticeable.

Very well could be, but I definitely imagined it tasted just a little bit better. Though it was the difference of drinking it versus choosing something else.

[bchris02]

Very well could be, but I definitely imagined it tasted just a little bit better. Though it was the difference of drinking it versus choosing something else.

To me, the full-strength version has a slightly stronger flavor. It's not a huge difference and a lot of people might not be able to fell the difference. I always have though and I know I'm not the only one. Maybe it's placebo. I'll buy a 3.2 pint of Bud sometime in the next few days and then I'll buy a full-strength pint once it becomes available and try a blind taste test.