The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. today applauded the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee and the Senate Tourism Committee’s passage of HB 521 and SB 268, bills to allow low-alcohol spirits ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs) to be sold alongside beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores.
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 and the similar alcohol content of the RTD beverages.
“Committee passage of these bills is a great first step in providing increased consumer convenience in Alabama,” said Corey Staniscia, vice president of state government relations at the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “These bills will allow popular spirits ready-to-drink cocktails to be sold where consumers already get beer and wine products. We urge each chamber to take up and pass these commonsense solutions to benefit Alabama consumers and local businesses.”
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.
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.