Sen. Bice authors measure to allow sale of cold high-point beer

State Sen. Stephanie Bice has filed legislation that would allow retail liquor stores to sell refrigerated high-point beer in Oklahoma. Bice said this change is something Oklahomans have increasingly been asking for.

“I’ve heard from scores of Oklahomans from all parts of the state who are really supportive of this effort to modernize state law to enable the sale of cold high-point beer in liquor stores,” said Bice, R-Oklahoma City. “The response I’ve received has been overwhelmingly in favor of this legislation.”

Currently, high-point beer can only be sold at room temperature and only in liquor retail stores. Consumers would still have to purchase high-point beer at liquor stores, but under Senate Bill 383, the stores would have the option to use refrigeration.

Bice explained making refrigeration optional could be done with a statutory change and is something many other states already allow.
“One advantage is that it would increase the shelf-life of this product,” Bice said.

Becky McCray, whose family owns Allen’s Liquor Store in Alva, Oklahoma, was thrilled when she heard about the proposed legislation.

“The building the store is in was constructed in 1975 and at that time everyone was hopeful coolers would be legal soon. Obviously that didn’t happen,” McCray said. “We get asked for cold beer all the time by customers from Kansas and other states. We’re almost ashamed to explain it’s still illegal in Oklahoma.”

SB 383 will be considered after the 2015 legislative session reconvenes on February 2.

, Sen. Bice: (405) 521-5592