Oklahoma craft breweries can now sell higher ABV beers on premise (if this bill is signed)

The sun is starting to set on the teetotaling norms of Oklahoma.

You may recall thus massive craft beer economic impact report we published from Oklahoma that laid out a fairly compelling case that the state would be wise to roll back some of its restrictions and encourage its brewing industry (especially the team at Praire Artisan Ales — one of CBB‘s favorites). Well, maybe the Sooner State legislators are big CBB fans because things are starting to get done.

From the ABC Tulsa affiliate:

Legislation was sent to the desk of Gov. Mary Fallin that would allow high-point beer sales directly from the breweries. Craft brewers say that would allow them to offer tastings and sales of all their beer varieties.

Under the current law, they can only sell 3.2 beer and offer limited tastings.

Going from the old laws to the new laws could instantly boost the revenue of breweries in the state. One brewer in that above story estimated that 25 percent of its sales could be done on location if this legislation were to become a reality. After checking out that full story, be sure to take some time and go through this economic impact report. Could be some nuggets in there for your state, if it is equally behind the times when it comes to supporting and growing a local beer scene. Ahem, cough cough, Georgia and Alabama, cough cough.