By Bailey Garza
Student Reporter
October is known for fall weather, and Halloween but there is another American holiday celebrated this month as well.
National American Beer Day is October 27.
Beer drinkers celebrate national American Beer Day annually across the nation on Oct. 27. More than 2,100 breweries manufacture beer in the United States. The breweries size range from industry giants to brewpubs and microbreweries.
In 2009, the United States produced 196 million barrels of beer. The U.S. consumes roughly 20 U.S. gallons of beer per capita annually.
The most common style of beer produced by the big breweries is American Lager. Most of the smaller breweries founded in the 1980’s produce a wide range of styles. The beer styles that originate in the United States include: American Pale Ale, Pennsylvania Porter, American IPA, Steam Beer, Amber Ale, Cream Ale, and Cascadian Dark Ale.
This year, National American Beer day for beer drinkers of Oklahoma will be different in a good way. Recently new alcohol laws passed. Legislature passed some new laws that influence the times and day’s alcohol will be served in liquor stores and breweries in the state. Gov. Mary Fallin signed Senate Bill 411 into law this past month. This bill allows state breweries to change their hours of operation to match bars and restaurants. In the past, brewers were restricted to open as late as 9 p.m.
The bill also allows liquor stores to open at 8 a.m. They normal time is 10 a.m. Senate Bill 411 officially goes into effect in October 2018. The new laws designed to help ease financial pressure on retail liquor stores, due to the voter approved state question 792. This allows grocery stores to sell wine and high point beer, beginning in October.
Another measure passed in legislature that is still waiting for Fallon’s signature is house bill 2186. This bill would allow movie theaters to sell high point beer to costumers. If signed this bill will also go into effect in October 2018.
The new bill will do either good or bad for stores and bars. Owner of the bull, Bill Costello said the new alcohol laws would not affect the bull much at all. The bull already sells high point beer such as Dos Equis and Pabts Blue Ribbon.
“It’s going to effect the convenient stores and Walmart the most,” said Costello. The new laws will force employees to have to get their liquor licenses in order to sell alcohol. It effects employees who have felony charges on their records. If an employee has a felony, they can longer be cashier because you cannot receive a liquor license due to a felony. With the new laws going into effect, the prices of beer at the bull will be going up 75 cents a beer. There will be a 13.5 % tax added for bar owners to pay.
“We already pay the 13.5% tax because of our liquor license,” said Costello.
To get your liquor license you have to go inline to the ABLE website, which costs $32.25. ABLE is who have to go through for everything as business owner when it comes alcohol. “ABLE is who governs us” said Costello.
Convenient stores will not have to pay the 13.5% tax because they sell by cases. Bar owners have to because they sell alcohol per glass and per bottle.
Bill Costello said that most of the convenient stores in town and Walmart has their liquor licenses already. He also said that the bull has been having a hard time getting liquor and beer because of the new laws and percentages going up and having to buy liquor and beer from different companies instead getting them from one company. The new laws will affect the people who purchase the cheap beer at the beers. The cheapest beer at the bull is Keystone, which costs only one dollar. With the new laws, it now costs $2.25, which will upset some people. Bull Bartender Melissa Chavez said that Keystone was one of the most popular beers at the bull.
Michelob Ultra is the top selling beer at the bull. “People buy a lot of the generic beers,” said Chavez. She also said that they sell many beers like Bud light and Coors Light. With the new laws, bars and stores will be able to sell more brands of beers. “People are going to get drunk faster now,” said Chavez. The beer will be going up from 3.2% to 6%. Chavez said that it would definitely be louder in the bull now. The new alcohol laws go into effect October 1st. Costumers will be able to purchase high point beer and wine at local convenient stores from here on out.
With National American Beer Day Coming up and the new alcohol laws in Oklahoma, this year will be an interesting day for American Beer Day.