The Alabama Alcohol Beverage Control Board (ABC) has been pondering about the recent law that allows for breweries to sell beer-to-go to customers. Free the Hops has this to say:
It would mandate that all breweries and brewpubs who sell beer for off premise consumption (i.e., growlers, bottled or canned beer) keep record of the purchaser’s information including name, address, telephone number, date of birth, and drivers license number for every sales transaction. Even more concerning is that the ABC Board states that this information will be subject to their verification.
The implications of this should be highly concerning, not only to craft beer consumers, but to all people throughout the state. As nonsensical as it might seem, this rule would essentially empower the ABC Board to come to an individual’s house to confirm his or her purchase of a six pack of beer. One can’t help but ask, why?
But this is still only a proposed rule. Please take some time over the next month to let the folks in Montgomery hear what you think of this. You will want to contact the ABC Board Administrative Procedures Secretary. Letters tend to get more attention, but here is both snail mail and email info for you to use:
Alabama ABC Board
2715 Gunter Park Drive West
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
If we want breweries to be able to sell beer-to-go, this rule needs to be stopped! Pass the word along to all of your friends in the state!