Measure passed the full House after passing committee last week
The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. (DISCUS) today applauded the Alabama House for passing HB 521, a bill to allow low-alcohol spirits ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) to be sold alongside beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores. The bill passed the House last night and now heads to the Senate for consideration.
“Alabama consumers continue to seek out their favorite spirits ready-to-drink cocktails in grocery and convenience stores right alongside beer and wine,” said Corey Staniscia, DISCUS vice president of state government relations. “We applaud the House for taking another step in moving forward this consumer- and business-friendly measure that adds additional market access for adult spirits consumers in Alabama. We urge the Senate to take up and pass this measure to increase consumer convenience and keep the government out of picking winners and losers in the marketplace.”
Under current Alabama law, beer is allowed to be sold in grocery and convenience stores along with wine and malt-based canned cocktails, but spirits-based RTDs are required to be sold at a liquor store despite having the same or similar alcohol content.
A survey conducted last session on the issue found that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Alabama adults support allowing licensed retailers to sell spirits RTDs at the same locations as beer, wine and malt-based canned cocktails. Support climbed to three-quarters (74%) as they learned more about the issue including the similar alcohol content of the RTD beverages.
Additionally, HB 521 lowers the tax rate for spirits RTDs to $0.035, recognizing that these low-alcohol products should not carry the same tax rate as a full bottle of spirits.
DISCUS is part of the Alabamians Ready for Convenience Coalition (ARCC) which includes the Alabama Grocers Association, the Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama and United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama. Adult consumers interested in supporting the effort to make spirits ready-to-drink cocktails available in retail outlets where beer and wine are available for purchase can sign up at Ready4Convenience.com.
