Beer battle brewing in Kansas Legislature

[Lzen]

<mcc head=""></mcc> <mcc subhead=""></mcc> <mcc byline1="">http://www.cjonline.com/stories/012509/sta_381240011.shtml

By Tim Carpenter
</mcc> <mcc byline2="">The Capital-Journal
</mcc> Published Sunday, January 25, 2009
<mcc story=""> Operators of convenience and grocery stores are trying to tap into a broader market in Kansas with a bill allowing the establishments to stock regular beer.
Advocates of the reform say the monopoly held by liquor stores on the sale of full-strength packaged beer should be broken.
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Casey's General Stores, QuickTrip, Hy-Vee and similar merchants in Kansas are limited to offering cereal-malt beverages, sometimes known as "weak" or "3.2" beer. The market for this type of beer collapsed more than two decades ago when the state raised the minimum legal drinking age to 21.
"Our industry is out to recapture the share of the market we lost," said Bob Alderson, a Topeka attorney and a lobbyist representing Casey's.
He said similar proposals had been spiked in the past, but there is too much at stake to quit the fight. Bills redefining what type of beer can be sold in convenience and grocery stores have been drafted for consideration during the 2009 legislative session.
Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, said Alderson and his clients would be opposed by an effective, well-financed coalition of business interests that don't want more competition.
In addition, lawmakers have a tradition of shielding "mom and pop" liquor stores.
"The liquor industry has been pretty successful over time," Morris said. "When different pieces of legislation are introduced, you don't see much change, whether it's a tax proposal or 3.2" percent beer.
Critics of the bill contend supermarket and convenience store operators want to win the right to sell regular beer so they can next demand the right to sell wine and liquor.
Anderson said the goal at this time was to eliminate from state law an outgrowth of Prohibition, which continued in Kansas after repeal of the federal ban on drinking in 1933.
In 1937, the 3.2 percent beer market got its start in Kansas when a state law was passed to permit the sale of "non-intoxicating beverages." This type of cereal-malt beverage must have an alcohol content no greater than 3.2 percent by weight.
A dozen years later, state lawmakers declared anyone 18 years or older could drink cereal-malt beverages. That persisted until 1985, when threat of a 10 percent reduction in federal highway funding prompted the Legislature to raise the minimum drinking age to 21.
The drinking age change altered the business landscape for supermarket and convenience stores, because much of the demand for cereal-malt beverages evaporated.
"If the drinking age was rolled back to 18, they'd take care of it," said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka. "The likelihood of it being rolled back is slim and none."
Morris said there was "some" interest among legislators in reducing the legal age limit for drinking alcoholic beverages.
"People have said for years if 18-year-olds can go to war, why shouldn't they be able to drink?" he said.
Tim Carpenter can be reached at (785) 296-3005 or timothy.carpenter@cjonline.com.
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[Reaper16]

MO kicks ass.

[BWillie]

MO kicks ass.

Yeah for this issue. Why the hell does KS give a shit about when you buy beer, where you buy it, and how much alcohol is in it. Hell, I think you should be able to buy beer 24/7 wherever you want as long as they get a liquor license. Then KS forces bars to close at 2 am, why can't we be like Chicago where bars are open until 5 am. That is bad ass.

[HemiEd]

Yeah, Kansas should follow Chicago/Illinois's lead! /Blagoiovich-Ryan


3.2 beer does suck, but it worked when I was 16.

[007]

This state is so back asswards.

[sedated]

I never even consider buying beer in a KS grocery store/gas station. It might as well be water in my eyes.


The sad part is that a lot of people don't know its 3.2 beer.

[lazepoo]

They have 3.2 beer in Minnesota as well. When I moved here, I unknowingly bought some at the grocery store and was pissed when one of my roommates told me that my beer was the watered down version. Not cool at all, and I don't know who would buy it when there are plenty of liquor stores that sell the real deal.

[BWillie]

I never even consider buying beer in a KS grocery store/gas station. It might as well be water in my eyes.


The sad part is that a lot of people don't know its 3.2 beer.

Yeah, no kidding. When I moved here from Iowa I thought my alcohol tolerance had went way up. I was getting poed that it took 25 beers to get severely sloshed.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

This state is so back asswards.

Finally! Someone admits it.

[CoMoChief]

Yeah for this issue. Why the hell does KS give a shit about when you buy beer, where you buy it, and how much alcohol is in it. Hell, I think you should be able to buy beer 24/7 wherever you want as long as they get a liquor license. Then KS forces bars to close at 2 am, why can't we be like Chicago where bars are open until 5 am. That is bad ass.

I dont know any bars in the KC area that close later than 3am and that's shitty ass Whiskey Tango in Grain Valley.

everywhere else closes at 130am it seems like.

[007]

Finally! Someone admits it.Better than misery.:D

[BWillie]

I dont know any bars in the KC area that close later than 3am and that's shitty ass Whiskey Tango in Grain Valley.

everywhere else closes at 130am it seems like.

I'm talking about Kansas bars, even Kansas bars in the KC area. Whisky Tangos....lol. That place is kind of cool once in a while, it's just a big ass shed. I went there one time and they had all you can drink beer on a Saturday for 5 dollars. It was something else. Yeah, I know MO bars close at 3 am, which is why I never party in Kansas just about. Alot of places in KS though say they close at 2 am, and start taking your drinks at like 120 am...it gets pretty ridiculous.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Better than misery.:D

You have exactly ONE oasis of "culture", and I use that term loosely.

Honk fer hemp, duuuuuuuuuuude!

[DJ's left nut]

Better than misery.:D

I'm hardly one to throw up MO as a mecca of high society and enlightenment.

But seriously, Kansas blows.

[alpha_omega]

LOL...."Beer Battle Brewing"

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

I'm hardly one to throw up MO as a mecca of high society and enlightenment.

But seriously, Kansas blows.

Between KC and STL, you can get what you want or need. Now if I'm ever in the mood to become a bigoted, gay-hating Douchebag, I'll just bop on over to the Church of Phelps, and get my stupid on.

[BWillie]

Between KC and STL, you can get what you want or need. Now if I'm ever in the mood to become a bigoted, gay-hating Douchebag, I'll just bop on over to the Church of Phelps, and get my stupid on.

Anything in Topeka doesn't count.

[Fish]

Guys.... 3.2 beer isn't that much weaker than normal beer. At all. And no way is it the "golden brew vs. goatpiss" comparison that you're making. The 3.2 number is alcohol % by weight. Normal beer is 6% by volume. And not all normal beer is actually 6%. It varies a lot. If you measure the alcohol content of "6%" beer by WEIGHT--guess what, it comes out about 3.8% or so. You really think your drunk ass could perceive a 1-2% difference?

I guarantee that if we had a blind taste test you couldn't tell the difference between 3.2 and normal beer of the same brand.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Anything in Topeka doesn't count.

Yes.....and Shawnee Mission / Overland Park / Olathe / Lenexa are just the cultural centers of the universe, yes?

"A TGIF's FOR EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD"! ROFL

[007]

I'm hardly one to throw up MO as a mecca of high society and enlightenment.

But seriously, Kansas blows.Meh, as long as it is about Tigers and Jayhawks, I will always side with Kansas. :D

[DJ's left nut]

Between KC and STL, you can get what you want or need. Now if I'm ever in the mood to become a bigoted, gay-hating Douchebag, I'll just bop on over to the Church of Phelps, and get my stupid on.

And that's why I'll remain in CoMo. 2 hour drive from anywhere I'd want to be. Hell it's only 8 hours to Chicago, just in case I feel like bribing a politician or getting a handjob from a tranny.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

And that's why I'll remain in CoMo. 2 hour drive from anywhere I'd want to be. Hell it's only 8 hours to Chicago, just in case I feel like bribing a politician or getting a handjob from a tranny.

That's quite the social life you have if driving to Chicago to bribe an Official who doesn't even serve your state is a fun road trip.

As for the Tranny; DCS is not down, but DCS will not judge your personal sexual proclivities either.

[Bugeater]

I'm talking about Kansas bars, even Kansas bars in the KC area. Whisky Tangos....lol. That place is kind of cool once in a while, it's just a big ass shed. I went there one time and they had all you can drink beer on a Saturday for 5 dollars. It was something else. Yeah, I know MO bars close at 3 am, which is why I never party in Kansas just about. Alot of places in KS though say they close at 2 am, and start taking your drinks at like 120 am...it gets pretty ridiculous.

Be thankful, bars close at 1AM here, and they start taking drinks at 12:45. We don't have the 3.2 BS here though.

[kcchiefsus]

I dont know any bars in the KC area that close later than 3am and that's shitty ass Whiskey Tango in Grain Valley.

everywhere else closes at 130am it seems like.

Just about every place at P&L stays open until 3, as does bars like Tomfooleries and O'Dowd's in Zona Rosa.

[Boyceofsummer]

Guys.... 3.2 beer isn't that much weaker than normal beer. At all. And no way is it the "golden brew vs. goatpiss" comparison that you're making. The 3.2 number is alcohol % by weight. Normal beer is 6% by volume. And not all normal beer is actually 6%. It varies a lot. If you measure the alcohol content of "6%" beer by WEIGHT--guess what, it comes out about 3.8% or so. You really think your drunk ass could perceive a 1-2% difference?

I guarantee that if we had a blind taste test you couldn't tell the difference between 3.2 and normal beer of the same brand.

I recently made my way to Squatters Pub & Brewery. Our driver was parking and was local. We found a booth next to the bar. I ordered the multiple beer tasting option. When our driver arrived he asked why we were sitting in the draft beer section. Apparently draft beer was 3.2 and all other beer was bottled, sold to the state and returned for sale at Squatters Pub & Brewery. I am a beer aficionado and could not tell the difference. Besides, I wanted draft beer.

[bevis369]

There is a taste difference in 3.2 versus 5.0 beer... Trying living in OK where all beer is 3.2 and come up here and be a light weight...:shake:

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

I recently made my way to Squatters Pub & Brewery. Our driver was parking and was local. We found a booth next to the bar. I ordered the multiple beer tasting option. When our driver arrived he asked why we were sitting in the draft beer section. Apparently draft beer was 3.2 and all other beer was bottled, sold to the state and returned for sale at Squatters Pub & Brewery. I am a beer aficionado and could not tell the difference. Besides, I wanted draft beer.

Are we talking about Bud, Coors, and Nappy Lite?

[J Diddy]

There is a taste difference in 3.2 versus 5.0 beer... Trying living in OK where all beer is 3.2 and come up here and be a light weight...:shake:

I lived in Ok and bought 5.0 beer in a liquor store. Just not cold.

[sportsman1]

Same in most of Arkansas.. except a good majority is dry all together.

[banyon]

Guys.... 3.2 beer isn't that much weaker than normal beer. At all. And no way is it the "golden brew vs. goatpiss" comparison that you're making. The 3.2 number is alcohol % by weight. Normal beer is 6% by volume. And not all normal beer is actually 6%. It varies a lot. If you measure the alcohol content of "6%" beer by WEIGHT--guess what, it comes out about 3.8% or so. You really think your drunk ass could perceive a 1-2% difference?

I guarantee that if we had a blind taste test you couldn't tell the difference between 3.2 and normal beer of the same brand.

Beer reps have told me that it amounts to about one beer out of a 12 pack.

But this remains a stupid, stupid, unnecessary law, and yes they should simplify us into the 21st century.

[DaFace]

This state is so back asswards.

I tend to agree, but keep in mind that this law is the same in Colorado, land of the micro-brew. Of course, we can finally buy booze on Sundays here, so that's a step in the right direction.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Well, it's good to know that Kansas still sucks.

[Lzen]

Yeah, we could not buy beer on Sundays until just a few years ago. A couple places in Lawrence decided to rebel and start selling on Sundays anyway and the next thing you know, everybody is doing it. That was a retarded law, too.

This whole 3.2 thing is ridiculous. No need for it, IMO.
And I don't agree that you can't taste the difference. I think you can. Just like buying caffeine free pop. I can taste the difference.

As for when they raised the beer drinking age from 18 to 21 in Kansas. I remember that. My oldest sister could legally buy beer when she turned 18. About a year and a half later, she could no longer legally buy it. She was not legal again until about a year and a half later. Weird situation.

[Lzen]

Lol, state smaque is retarded.