Expert: Ed Westemeier - 1/24/2009

Question
Dear kind sir, I live in Colorado where there is ongoing debate about changing 3.2 beer sales to full strength in grocers and convenience stores,because of the end of the BLUE law in our state to allow Sunday sales.My question- WHEN did sales of 3.2 start in my state at grocers etc.?I seem to recall it starting in the 80's, but cannot verify this.I ask because here grocers say they lose money, but I seem to think 3.2 sales weren't always a part of their revenue until the 1980's. Thank you for your time...

Answer
I can't claim to be an expert in the history of alcohol legislation, but my understanding is as follows:

In a number of states, Colorado included, the sale of low alcohol beer was permitted when Prohibition came into effect. After Prohibition was repealed, those states decided to keep allowing that low alcohol beer to be sold in supermarkets, while the higher alcohol stuff was restricted to state liquor stores (to keep the profit in the state treasury). I'm pretty sure it's illegal in Utah to sell beer in ANY store that's above 3.2, but that's more for religious reasons.

Incidentally, it's not really as big a deal as most people think. The number refers to 3.2% alcohol by weight (ABW), which is the equivalent of roughly 4% by volume. The weight percentage is purely a legal definition in this country, since everyone outside the government refers to alcohol by volume (ABV). Your typical "normal strength" beer is around 5% alcohol by volume, although many beers today are stronger.