Oklahoma alcohol reform back in the news
The issue of reforming Oklahoma’s liquor laws is back in the news this week. The last time we heard about the issue was earlier this year, during the last legislative session. At that time, political leaders essentially decided the issue was to too hard to figure out, so hey, let’s just form a committee.
Well, that committee was formed and has now started meeting. And once again, everyone says the issue is too hard to figure out.
Look, I’m definitely not for mom-and-pop liquor stores going out of business. And I’m not for less selection. And I’m not for paying unfair prices for craft beer. I’m not for brewers not being able to reach customers. I’m not for drinking and driving. I’m not for minors buying alcohol. I’m not for the state of Oklahoma erupting into a massive fireball because a liquor store opened on a Sunday.
What am I for? Buying good, cold craft beer any day of the week.
That’s it.
For as complex as Oklahoma’s system is, and for however many cooks are in the kitchen, so to speak, beer fans really aren’t asking for much.
Let us buy good, cold craft beer any day of the week.
Now, everyone has a dog in this fight — wholesalers, distributors, liquor store owners, convenience store owners, grocers, brewers — I get it. And every one of those parties is represented on this government task force.
Here’s a message from the only group not represented on the task force, the consumer: Put your heads together and find a way to give me better access to good, cold craft beer.
This may be a complicated mess, but all beer fans are asking for is a simple solution.
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Comments
The part that baffles me is every other state that surrounds us (and the majority of the country for that matter) has “some how” figured this thing out, yet we are still sitting around looking at each other in dismay. This CAN’T be that difficult. There is going to have to be some compromise, but until then we look like the idiots the stereotypes portray us to be.
The first problem was creating a task force of 300 people (I am being sarcastic about the number of people) from all walks of life to “figure” this thing out. Let me get this straight, you created a task with well over a dozen people, all with different political views, stake in the game, and desired outcomes and expected them to come to a reasonable solution that everyone is accepting of. Good luck with that. I often feel the State Government creates such task forces in order to further delay what we are asking for. Looks like I am correct in my assumption as that is exactly what is happening.
Come to Oklahoma – where our State and Local Government protects us from the harms of fantastic tasting beer.
I, for one, don’t know what I would do without your protection. Thanks Oklahoma!
I agree Nick. Let’s start by allowing stores to be open on Sunday. Personally do we really need to buy bad wine at WalMart??
Who is on the commitee? I read there was a brewery, winery, joe public etc.
I absolutely 100% agree! The only part you missed was being able to take your kids into the liquor stores with you! I know this sounds crazy, but seriously. If I’m going to buy alcohol for my 5 and 8 year old daughters I am probably not going to pop open the bottle of Cuervo in the liquor store and hand it over. I’m going to at least wait until I get home (humor!) to give it to them! They can stand right next to me in the grocery store while I put my 6pk of Amber Bock in the cart… What’s the difference? Oh yeah, the ABLE commission doesn’t think 3.2 beer is intoxicating. Hmmm…..