Oklahoma liquor laws

[Urbanized]

Meaning what? Continuing to produce 3.2 beer for giveaways and events? They will still be able to produce 3.2 beer I suppose, but I don't believe they will be able to give it away or allow people to walk around on the street with it. The distinction between 3.2 and strong beer is going away. Which I assume means 3.2 will now also be regulated by ABLE. And a TON of donated beer and event beer is not local. Those breweries will DEFINITELY stop producing 3.2, even if it was OK to give away or walk around carrying.

[bchris02]

Whoever stated that the macro breweries brew one beer for all markets and dilutes them down to the needed ABV at packaging is correct. This is a well known practice that isn't just for producing different strengths of alcohol, it allows them to yield more product and it be more consistent.

This is correct, which is why beer produced by AB and the likes tastes so watery in Oklahoma. I know it's not "cool" in 2018 to like AB products but some of them really aren't that bad in their full strength. Having lived elsewhere from drinking age until 26 when I moved back to Oklahoma, I mostly drank full-strength Bud products and some imports. After moving back here though I could never adjust to the watery taste of 3.2 Bud and therefore really started exploring craft beers. I probably never would have been a craft beer drinker, at least to the extent I am now, if it wasn't for Oklahoma's stupid 3.2 beer law.

Currently there are 5 states with some kind of low point law the macro breweries are producing for, Colorado is one of them. Like stated though, since over 50% of the low point market is here chances are it'll go away for everybody else once it leaves OK.

A big part of that is that OK is the only state of the 5 that big beer doesn't even sell their full-strength products. KS, CO, and MN all drink minuscule amounts of 3.2 beer. Once it goes away in OK that will leave only Utah as a significant consumer of it. I was doing some reading about Utah's liquor laws not long ago and as draconian as the laws are here, Utah has it far worse.

[bluedogok]

3.2 beer is going away in Colorado as well.

[Bunty]

A big part of that is that OK is the only state of the 5 that big beer doesn't even sell their full-strength products. KS, CO, and MN all drink minuscule amounts of 3.2 beer. Once it goes away in OK that will leave only Utah as a significant consumer of it. I was doing some reading about Utah's liquor laws not long ago and as draconian as the laws are here, Utah has it far worse.

Odd how Utah was the last state needed to repeal prohibition in 1933.

[jerrywall]

Odd how Utah was the last state needed to repeal prohibition in 1933.

I'm curious if like Oklahoma they had some federal restriction. Ours was part of the requirement to become a state.

[Bunty]

I'm curious if like Oklahoma they had some federal restriction. Ours was part of the requirement to become a state.

I don't know about Utah, but Oklahoma was required to be dry for 21 years after statehood. So Oklahoma was in an okay position to help ratify the amendment to repeal prohibition.

[mugofbeer]

I'm curious if like Oklahoma they had some federal restriction. Ours was part of the requirement to become a state.

Utah did have major restrictions placed on it as well as huge cuts to it's original land size because the Feds didn't like the Mormons and didn't want them mlto benefit from precious metals discoveries. Just as possible that it was Mormon beliefs against alcahol consumption that delayed the vote.

[ctchandler]

Today I stopped by a liquor store and was asking him a few things about the changes coming up this fall. I also asked about 3.2 beer knowing it wouldn't be available in his store and he said the new law eliminates 3.2 altogether. I haven't read the law and it's probably too complicated for my feeble brain anyway but does anybody else understand it that way? I know some of you think it will go away because of low demand but is it actually by law?
C. T.

[stile99]

The sweet, simple fact is 3.2 is not outlawed. But I believe the issue of public access to restrooms was discussed elsewhere on this forum in the past, and just as with that issue, "It's against that law" is generally more well-received than "we don't want to", so that's the excuse some will be offering.

[benjico]

What is the law on minors in taprooms? I had assumed it was only forbidden inside but when I recently visited Stonecloud with my toddler (on the patio) a bartender came outside and said kids couldn't be anywhere on the property - even outside.

Any changes to this in the October laws? I've been to many out of state breweries who are very open to families (some even brew root beer for kids).

[bchris02]

3.2 beer is a distant memory in a vast majority of the country. I think in a few years there won't be very many people missing it. There's also a question of how much longer big beer is going to produce it now that we are down to only one state that still requires 3.2. So while the lower ABV beer won't be against the law, it's not something there will likely be a high demand for.

[Johnb911]

What is the law on minors in taprooms? I had assumed it was only forbidden inside but when I recently visited Stonecloud with my toddler (on the patio) a bartender came outside and said kids couldn't be anywhere on the property - even outside.

Any changes to this in the October laws? I've been to many out of state breweries who are very open to families (some even brew root beer for kids).

Not sure how this applies to tap rooms, but last time I asked the manager at my usual liquor store about being able to bring in under 21s once the law went into affect (effect? can never remember which) he said they were trying to get that done. I think things like the age restriction and being open on holidays are things they're trying to push through in addition to the actual wording of the rules being changed. This was several months ago, and again, just for liquor stores, but it might be the same for taprooms

[jerrywall]

Not sure how this applies to tap rooms, but last time I asked the manager at my usual liquor store about being able to bring in under 21s once the law went into affect (effect? can never remember which) he said they were trying to get that done. I think things like the age restriction and being open on holidays are things they're trying to push through in addition to the actual wording of the rules being changed. This was several months ago, and again, just for liquor stores, but it might be the same for taprooms

Unless they change the rules, I would assume that taprooms are considered and will continue to be considered bars under their license, especially since the majority of them don't serve food at all, much less enough to hit the criteria.

[jedicurt]

Unless they change the rules, I would assume that taprooms are considered and will continue to be considered bars under their license, especially since the majority of them don't serve food at all, much less enough to hit the criteria.

I will double check, but last I had heard from the CBAO was that taprooms would be allowed to have minors in the tap rooms after rule changes

[Uptowner]

The general “blanket” has always been: “if it’s not a restaurant where children have business to eat food, but while alcohol is also served.” Then children are not allowed. Even in restaurants kids aren't allowed in the bar area.

Why would you want to take a child into a tap room anyway? There’s literally nothing for them. I can sort of understand a liquor store, since it’s off-premise consumption. But cars have hear&air these days.

[jedicurt]

The general “blanket” has always been: “if it’s not a restaurant where children have business to eat food, but while alcohol is also served.” Then children are not allowed. Even in restaurants kids aren't allowed in the bar area.

Why would you want to take a child into a tap room anyway? There’s literally nothing for them. I can sort of understand a liquor store, since it’s off-premise consumption. But cars have hear&air these days.

that general "blanket" is no longer the case in most states. taprooms in texas and Colorado both allow for minors, and work to create friendly atmospheres. taprooms are not bars, and a majority don't try to be. plus, like a liquor store there is a lot of on-site purchase for off-site consumption.

[d-usa]

We’ve been to Taprooms for soccer watch parties, with a food truck in the parking lot and games and activities for people there, it’s a different atmosphere than bars.

[bchris02]

I'm sure this has been discussed but this thread is now 65 pages long. I have a few questions about the new laws.

1) How late will liquor stores be able to stay open?
2) How late will convenience stores/grocery stores be able to sell alcohol?
3) Will grocery/convenience stores be able to sell alcohol on Sunday?

[Swake]

I'm sure this has been discussed but this thread is now 65 pages long. I have a few questions about the new laws.

1) How late will liquor stores be able to stay open?
2) How late will convenience stores/grocery stores be able to sell alcohol?
3) Will grocery/convenience stores be able to sell alcohol on Sunday?

1) Midnight
2) Midnight
3) They can now, county option. Liquor stores will also be able to be open on Sunday, county option.

[loveOKC]

1) Midnight
2) Midnight
3) They can now, county option. Liquor stores will also be able to be open on Sunday, county option.

How late will night clubs be able to sell liquor? How long will night clubs/bars be able to stay open?

[barrettd]

How late will night clubs be able to sell liquor? How long will night clubs/bars be able to stay open?

Why would these change? They're not selling for off-site consumption.

[loveOKC]

Why would these change? They're not selling for off-site consumption.

Why not? Are the new laws just for off site consumption. It would seem logical that with the new liquor laws the night clubs could serve alcohol past 2am.

[jedicurt]

Why not? Are the new laws just for off site consumption. It would seem logical that with the new liquor laws the night clubs could serve alcohol past 2am.

Logic rarely is applicable to legislation. 2am is still the cut off time

[sooner88]

1) Midnight
2) Midnight
3) They can now, county option. Liquor stores will also be able to be open on Sunday, county option.

So you won't be able to buy beer at gas stations until 2 am like you are now?

[bchris02]

So you won't be able to buy beer at gas stations until 2 am like you are now?

That's what it sounds like. However, I think that's an acceptable trade-off for having real beer and wine much more accessible. Maybe it would be different if I would have been living in Oklahoma when I started drinking, but I just can't do 3.2 beer. So as far as I am concerned, alcohol for off-premises consumption is currently only available Monday-Saturday and until 9PM.