One bill has been filed in the Alabama Legislature and another is in draft form to allow the sale of pre-mixed, “ready-to-drink” canned alcoholic beverages in grocery stores and gas stations.
But how far the conversation gets this session is still to be determined, one potential bill sponsor told Alabama Daily News this week.
A draft bill, obtained by ADN, would allow for the expanded retail sales of “mixed spirit beverages” of up to 13.9% alcohol by volume. Currently, the products like High Noon, Cutwater and others are only sold in Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control and private package stores.
Legislation to expand their sales to other retailers have failed in the last two years.
“I have asked the Legislative Services Agency to draft a bill that contains what I think the interested parties are thinking is some consensus language so that we can have a piece of legislation to discuss,” Sen. Chris Elliott, R-Josephine, said early this week. “I do not think we are to the point where it is ready to introduce, far from it. But at some point, you do need to put words on paper so that we’re talking about the language.
“My hope is that those parties can iron out some of their differences and come to some sort of conclusion on this, and all get on the same page.”
Elliott also said the 13.9% ABV in the draft could be changed.
Opponents of previous bills have included the ABC board, which argues the canned drinks could be too accessible to minors if sold in gas stations and grocery stores.
There have also been significant conflicts in past legislation over how the products would be distributed to retailers. Both existing beer and wine wholesalers and soft drink distributors have wanted the ability to sell the products.
The draft bill creates a mixed spirit beverage wholesaler license and a beer, wine and mixed spirit wholesaler license.
It’s a proposal supported by the grocery and gas station associations.
Separately, Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, filed legislation last month to allow for new retail licenses for “spirit infused beverages” with up to 7% ABV. Singleton filed ready-to-drink beverage legislation in 2023 and 2024. His newest bill is scaled down, including the ABV it would allow.