Oklahoma liquor laws

[David]

The Thirsty Beagle: Governor signs SBs 383, 424

Can we go ahead and declare Thursday, Aug. 25 to be #OKBeerDay?

That's the day Senate Bill 424 will go into effect, after Gov. Mary Fallin on Monday signed the bill into law.

SB 424 allows Oklahoma's craft brewers to sell beer produced at their breweries directly to the public, either for on-premise (pints, etc.) or off-premise (bottles/cans/growlers) consumption.

It's hard to overstate how huge of a deal this is for Oklahoma craft brewers. Think about how most six packs of beer go from anywhere from $8 to $12 at your local liquor store. That's anywhere from $1.50 to $2 per bottle, and that's after at least two levels of mark-ups before the beer goes from brewer to consumer. You can pretty easily see the economic advantages of selling one beer for $5 or $6 right out the brewery.

SB 424 also will likely give us exclusive brewery-only bottle releases, insane pint nights, more jobs, more beer tourism and ultimately more breweries.

So all in all, it's a pretty big deal.

[jerrywall]

I think 424 is a good thing overall... I just hope breweries in Oklahoma remember that there is only one reason they've existed and have had any success, and that is the direct investment in inventory by bars and liquor stores. Period. 100% of their sales were driven by that until this. I hope they're respectful of that investment, now that they're direct competitors with the folks who made them successful in the first place.

[HangryHippo]

I think 424 is a good thing overall... I just hope breweries in Oklahoma remember that there is only one reason they've existed and have had any success, and that is the direct investment in inventory by bars and liquor stores. Period. 100% of their sales were driven by that until this. I hope they're respectful of that investment, now that they're direct competitors with the folks who made them successful in the first place.

Do you own a liquor store?

[jerrywall]

Do you own a liquor store?

Not anymore. Point?

[HangryHippo]

Not anymore. Point?

None.

[bille]

Not anymore. Point?

It's the same kind of statement I've heard from a handful of owners now after the bills have passed.

[jerrywall]

It's the same kind of statement I've heard from a handful of owners now after the bills have passed.

But it's a fair point. You can like the law (I do) while at the same time acknowledge the support liquor stores and local bars have had in building the craft beer industry. And now the folks they've helped to build are becoming their competitors and will be potentially offering exclusive products to customers. I know if I still had a shop I'd be re-evaluating shelf space allocation. Especially if the number 1 and 2 selling beers in America suddenly become available for liquor stores in Oklahoma. Why take gambles on local beers when I could fill my shelves with bud and coors who don't directly compete with me?

[baralheia]

Simple: If you're closer than the brewery to me, then I'll still buy that craft beer from your store instead of driving out of my way to get to the brewery. Just because I can suddenly buy directly from the brewery doesn't mean I'm going to spurn the local liquor store - in most cases (i.e. distance or cost reasons). All things being equal, demand from customers should be driving those shelf space allocations. :P

[BDP]

But it's a fair point. You can like the law (I do) while at the same time acknowledge the support liquor stores and local bars have had in building the craft beer industry. And now the folks they've helped to build are becoming their competitors and will be potentially offering exclusive products to customers. I know if I still had a shop I'd be re-evaluating shelf space allocation. Especially if the number 1 and 2 selling beers in America suddenly become available for liquor stores in Oklahoma. Why take gambles on local beers when I could fill my shelves with bud and coors who don't directly compete with me?

Totally fair point. Vendors and manufacturers have been doing this for years now, especially in clothing, and it played some part in the reduction of independent retailers. I think the fact that most of our locals are independent as well sort of mitigates my concern here, but hopefully the brewers do not undercut other retailers at their own places.

[jerrywall]

Simple: If you're closer than the brewery to me, then I'll still buy that craft beer from your store instead of driving out of my way to get to the brewery. Just because I can suddenly buy directly from the brewery doesn't mean I'm going to spurn the local liquor store - in most cases (i.e. distance or cost reasons). All things being equal, demand from customers should be driving those shelf space allocations. :P

But what if those breweries are offering exclusive products or much lower prices? That's what I'm concerned with. Direct competition I don't see as a problem.

[BDP]

Simple: If you're closer than the brewery to me, then I'll still buy that craft beer from your store instead of driving out of my way to get to the brewery. Just because I can suddenly buy directly from the brewery doesn't mean I'm going to spurn the local liquor store - in most cases (i.e. distance or cost reasons). All things being equal, demand from customers should be driving those shelf space allocations. :P

I would think that the retailers biggest concern would be that the breweries would have exclusive and small batch products only available at their locations, which I think would be expected.

[bille]

I would think that the retailers biggest concern would be that the breweries would have exclusive and small batch products only available at their locations, which I think would be expected.

I can guarantee the breweries will have exclusive products, especially small batch one-off products that previously made no sense or where literally impossible to sell (like growler only stuff). You'll see a lot more small scale test batches of stuff being tried at the source too.

And I'll be the guy that drives across town to buy fresh IPA from the brewery, especially until refrigeration is allowed. Even then it'll still be freshest/best at the source.

I wouldn't worry about breweries underselling retailers. They'll be able to set prices at retail and make more money, recouping huge margins that otherwise go to brokers, distributors, and retailers. Being able to sell at the source will be huge for them but they'll still need the distribution chain to handle their core, high volume brands.

[FighttheGoodFight]

We need to get a map of local breweries now. Can't wait to see some of the places and try out some local brews.

[jerrywall]

We need to get a map of local breweries now. Can't wait to see some of the places and try out some local brews.

I can recommend a few.

Mustang. Nicest folks in the world. Love them. Their beer is honestly not the best local brews, but they're such great folks, and give a great tour.

http://www.mustangbrewing.com/home

Coop - Great all around general beers. and a great tour.

http://coopaleworks.com/

Anthem brewing - Another strong brewer, with a great tour. And they almost always have a good tour package on groupon.

http://www.anthembrewing.com/

Prairie - Up in Tulsa. Worth the drive. Hands down, IMO, the best craft brewer in Oklahoma. The Prairie Bomb has been rated the best craft beer in the world by national reviews. DO IT, DO IT! The are probably one of the singular best breweries in the world and they're here in Oklahoma.

http://prairieales.com/

[FighttheGoodFight]

I can recommend a few.

Mustang. Nicest folks in the world. Love them. Their beer is honestly not the best local brews, but they're such great folks, and give a great tour.

http://www.mustangbrewing.com/home

Coop - Great all around general beers. and a great tour.

http://coopaleworks.com/

Anthem brewing - Another strong brewer, with a great tour. And they almost always have a good tour package on groupon.

http://www.anthembrewing.com/

Prairie - Up in Tulsa. Worth the drive. Hands down, IMO, the best craft brewer in Oklahoma. The Prairie Bomb has been rated the best craft beer in the world by national reviews. DO IT, DO IT! The are probably one of the singular best breweries in the world and they're here in Oklahoma.

http://prairieales.com/

Thanks Jerry. I am a big fan of Anthem just haven't made it over there yet. Might be my first.

[jerrywall]

Oh, and Roughtail! I totally forgot them.

http://www.roughtailbeer.com/

[Jersey Boss]

Have to plug our local Norman brewery as well.

http://www.405brewing.com/

[jerrywall]

Have to plug our local Norman brewery as well.

http://www.405brewing.com/

They have a great grapefruit sour!

[checkthat]

I can recommend a few.

Mustang. Nicest folks in the world. Love them. Their beer is honestly not the best local brews, but they're such great folks, and give a great tour.

http://www.mustangbrewing.com/home

Coop - Great all around general beers. and a great tour.

http://coopaleworks.com/

Anthem brewing - Another strong brewer, with a great tour. And they almost always have a good tour package on groupon.

http://www.anthembrewing.com/

Prairie - Up in Tulsa. Worth the drive. Hands down, IMO, the best craft brewer in Oklahoma. The Prairie Bomb has been rated the best craft beer in the world by national reviews. DO IT, DO IT! The are probably one of the singular best breweries in the world and they're here in Oklahoma.

http://prairieales.com/

Great suggestions. Totally agree on Prairie.

[jerrywall]

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-supreme-c...rticle/5502809

No idea how this could effect SJR68

[David]

Does the Retail Liquor Association have a legal challenge out for SJR68? Or can they challenge it in the same way since it came from the legislature instead of the petition process?

[bille]

We need to get a map of local breweries now. Can't wait to see some of the places and try out some local brews.

The okc craft beer festival is coming up in just over a week. Most (if not all) local breweries will be represented there. Additionally this year there will be a section for breweries in planning AND a few select homebrewers. Three sessions, one on Friday evening, a VIP session early Saturday afternoon and another regular session Saturday evening.

You guys should definitely come, it's a great opportunity to feel the pulse of what's happening in the OK craft beer with the added excitement of impending SB424 changes!

[jerrywall]

I dont discourage folks from going, but jesus... $40 for one ounce samples? There's no way I would get my money's worth. I mean, it's nice to give to the craft beer gods, but I'd rather spend $30 at Skinny Slims or Tapworks or Faslers.

[dankrutka]

I dont discourage folks from going, but jesus... $40 for one ounce samples? There's no way I would get my money's worth. I mean, it's nice to give to the craft beer gods, but I'd rather spend $30 at Skinny Slims or Tapworks or Faslers.

I've been to several of these types of events and I've always felt like I got as much as I could handle.

[Jersey Boss]

I dont discourage folks from going, but jesus... $40 for one ounce samples? There's no way I would get my money's worth. I mean, it's nice to give to the craft beer gods, but I'd rather spend $30 at Skinny Slims or Tapworks or Faslers.

Agreed. $40 will fill a few growlers in a couple of months!