PRESS RELEASE Oklahoma Beer Alliance works with ABLE, Legislature on multiple alcohol-related updates

Permanent curbside sales, deliveries and more options for retail establishments/consumers


click to enlarge PRESS RELEASE Oklahoma Beer Alliance works with ABLE, Legislature on multiple alcohol-related updates
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The Oklahoma Beer Alliance has worked closely with the Oklahoma Legislature and the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission to support Senate Bill 1928 and House Bill 1349.

SB 1928 would add to Oklahoma law the following:
  • Allow retail spirit licensees to sell curbside and deliver alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and spirits in sealed original containers to consumers aged 21 and older.
  • Allow small brewers and small-farm wineries licensed by ABLE to sell curbside-only alcoholic beverages they produced in sealed original containers to consumers aged 21 and older.
  • Allow restaurants, bars and clubs holding mixed beverage, beer and wine, or caterer/mixed beverage licenses issued by ABLE to sell curbside and deliver only closed packages of beer and wine to consumers aged 21 and older.
  • Allow grocery and convenience stores holding a retail beer and/or wine license issued by ABLE to sell curbside and deliver original sealed containers of beer and/or wine to consumers ages 21 and older.
Other key points include third-party vendors, such as DoorDash and UberEats, are still not authorized to make alcohol deliveries, only employees of ABLE-approved licensees. However, payment for alcoholic beverage product delivery may be made by cash, check, transportable credit and debit card processors, and advance online payment methods, an update from the temporary guidance.

SB 1928 recently won full House and Senate approval and heads to the governor for consideration. The ABLE Commission had extended these and other temporary changes through May 15, but these specific changes in SB 1928 would take effect immediately after passage and approval.

“COVID-19 has temporarily shifted the way we work, interact with others and even disrupted our restaurant and alcohol habits,” said Lisette Barnes, president of the Oklahoma Beer Alliance. “But the ABLE Commission and government leaders have responded quickly and adapted to the situation by temporarily allowing for curbside sales and deliveries of alcohol. This change has been very popular with Oklahomans and is something we think should continue permanently. This legislation continues the Oklahoma Beer Alliance’s efforts to modernize our state’s alcohol laws in a way that is safe and benefits consumers.”

Additionally, HB 1349, which has been approved by the full House and Senate and heads to the governor, extends the alcohol percentage from 8.99% to 15% that retail beer and wine licensees are able to sell. This measure allows Oklahoma consumers more options to buy alcohol products where previously beer over 8.99% had to be purchased in liquor stores only, and also brings the alcohol content to the equivalent of wine allowed in grocery stores and other retail establishments. If signed by the governor, the measure would be effective July 1, 2020.

“Many brewers, restaurants and wineries have had to adapt to a new normal, leaving many establishments closed and searching for new ways to reach consumers,” Barnes said. “These measures will continue to help these and other retail establishments that are still closed or starting to reopen this month. While the reopening process will be slow, as it should be, these new additions and changes to Oklahoma law will allow businesses to continue to adapt and find ways to maintain sales, as well as allow more options for consumers to get the alcohol products they want.

“We applaud the efforts of the Oklahoma legislature and ABLE Commission to listen to what Oklahomans want and take action,” Barnes said. “We strongly encourage the governor to pass and sign these bills. We’re all in this together, and the more we can accommodate consumers and businesses now and in the future, the better.”

About Oklahoma Beer Alliance
The Oklahoma Beer Alliance is dedicated to promoting common sense laws that enable Oklahomans to choose the highest quality products without compromise, while encouraging personal responsibility throughout our community that benefits the common good. For more information, please visit okbeeralliance.com.

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