Rainier Beer: Available In Oklahoma?

The Rainier Brewing Company is an American-owned beer brand, established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884. The company has changed hands several times since the 1970s and is currently owned and operated by Pabst Brewing Company, which brews the beer in Irwindale, California. Rainier Beer is classified as a lager with an ABV of 4.6%. Oklahoma has a unique set of liquor laws compared to other states, with a three-tier system regulating the production, distribution, and sale of beer, wine, and liquor. Beer is classified into three categories based on alcohol content, with different regulations for each category. So, can you buy Rainier Beer in Oklahoma?

Rainier Beer's origin and history

The Rainier Brewing Company is an American-owned beer brand, established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884. However, the Seattle site had been brewing beer since 1878, when A.B. Rabbeson opened Washington Brewery, Seattle's first commercial brewing company. In 1872, Rabbeson renamed the brewery Seattle Brewery.

In 1883, John Kopp and Andrew Hemrich, a first-generation German from a long line of brewmasters, founded the Bay View Brewing Company in Seattle. The following year, Kopp's interest was bought out by Hemrich's father, John, who had previously operated a brewery in Alma, Wisconsin.

In 1888, Rabbeson sold his brewery, along with the Rainier brand, to Hemrich. In 1893, the Seattle Brewing & Malting Company was formed by the merger of the Bay View brewery with the Claussen & Sweeney brewery and the Albert Braun Brewing Company. Andrew Hemrich became president of the new company and remained so until his death in 1910, when he was succeeded by his brother, Louis. The Georgetown brewery became the headquarters of the new corporation, and in the early 1900s, it underwent a major construction period, making it one of the largest breweries in the world.

The Hemrichs produced Rainier beer in Washington until 1916, when the state of Washington enacted prohibition laws, four years before the nationwide prohibition of the 18th Amendment. During this time, they opened a brewery in San Francisco, where they brewed Rainier beer until 1920, when the 18th Amendment was ratified. The company survived this period by producing a range of non-alcoholic products.

Following the repeal of Prohibition, the Bay View brewery was purchased by Fritz and Emil Sick, who repurchased the Rainier brand and resumed brewing Rainier in 1935. The brewery went through several name changes during this period, including Sicks' Seattle Brewing and Malting and Sicks' Rainier Brewing Company.

In the 1970s, Rainier ran a series of memorable television advertisements in the Pacific Northwest, largely conceived by Seattle designer Terry Heckler. These included the Running of the MFRs (Mountain Fresh Rainiers), a parody of the Running of the Bulls, and a commercial featuring Mickey Rooney dressed as a Mountie.

In 1977, the Rainier brewery was sold to G. Heileman Brewing Company and, after passing through several hands, it was eventually bought by Pabst, which closed the original brewery in 1999. Rainier Beer is now brewed by Pabst in Irwindale, California.

Where it's brewed and distributed

The Rainier Brewing Company is an American-owned beer brand that was originally established in Seattle, Washington, in 1884. The Seattle site, however, had been brewing beer since 1878. The beer is no longer brewed in Seattle, and the company is no longer locally owned, but it remains American-owned with a Seattle-based sales and marketing team. The Rainier brand is currently owned and operated by Pabst Brewing Company, which acquired it in the late 1990s. Rainier Beer is now brewed by Pabst in Irwindale, California.

In Canada, Rainier Lager is owned, brewed, and distributed by Sleeman Breweries. The beer is also brewed at a branch brewery in Spokane, Washington, which opened in 1952 and closed in 1962.

Oklahoma's three-tier alcohol classification system

Manufacturers brew and bottle beer. Distributors have contracts with manufacturers and distribute their beer to retail accounts. Retail accounts include grocery and convenience stores and beverage centers that sell beer to the public.

The three-tier system enables distributors to help Oklahoma control and regulate the sale of beer, and prohibits the abuses that led to Prohibition. The system also ensures distributors are licensed and selling only to licensed establishments, that taxes are properly collected, and ultimately that the retailer and consumer are protected from abuse by suppliers.

The three-tier system allows distributors to provide customized inventory management to their customers and ensures perishable products are delivered fresh and efficiently to bars, restaurants, and stores.

The three tiers (brewer, distributor, and retailer) are also further separated by other laws and regulations prohibiting suppliers and distributors from having any financial interest or influence with retailers. For example, beer sales on credit are not allowed and consignment sales are banned.

The three-tier system has four primary goals:

• To avoid the overly aggressive marketing and sales practices of the pre-Prohibition era
• To generate tax revenues that can be collected efficiently from the beer distribution industry
• To facilitate state and local control of alcoholic beverages
• To encourage moderate consumption (temperance)

A different type of exception to the three-tier system existed in Oklahoma prior to October 2018, where laws mandated a four-tier system for package sales of beer of greater than 3.2% alcohol by weight. Brewers in that state were historically prohibited from selling to distributors; they instead were required to sell to brokers, who in turn would sell to distributors. Following the passage of a voter referendum in 2016, the broker and distributor levels were effectively merged, resulting in the three-tier system common to the rest of the U.S.

Oklahoma's alcohol sale timings and restrictions

Oklahoma has a number of laws and restrictions regarding the sale of alcohol. Firstly, minors under the age of 21 are prohibited from possessing or purchasing alcohol, although consumption in a "private setting" is not prohibited. The sale of alcohol for consumption on-premises is not allowed between 2:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. and licensed vendors are restricted in several ways. They may not advertise happy hours, serve more than two beverages to a single customer at a time, give discounts, or permit drinking games.

In terms of the types of establishments permitted to sell alcohol, grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies with a beer and wine license can sell beer and wine with up to 15% ABV, and they may sell these beverages between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m. from Sunday to Saturday. Small brewers may sell beer and wine from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and until midnight on Sundays if approved by the county. Package stores may sell beer, wine, and spirits from 8 a.m. to midnight Monday to Saturday, and until midnight on Sundays in counties where this is permitted. On-premises licensees may sell alcoholic beverages from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday to Saturday, and on Sundays if permitted by the county.

It is worth noting that Oklahoma law allows for the sale of liquor by the drink, and delivery of alcoholic beverages by licensed businesses such as restaurants and package liquor stores is also permitted. However, there are some important restrictions to be aware of. For example, alcohol sales are prohibited on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and wine and beer for consumption off-premises may not be sold between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. Additionally, people who have been convicted of a felony or any alcohol-related crime may not obtain a license to sell packaged alcohol.

Rainier Beer's ABV and customer reviews

Rainier Beer ABV and Customer Reviews

Rainier Beer, with its iconic red "R" logo, has been a fixture in the American beer market since its establishment in Seattle, Washington, in 1884. The brand is currently owned and operated by the Pabst Brewing Company, and the beer is brewed in Irwindale, California. With an ABV of 4.6%, Rainier Beer is described as having a satisfying malty flavor with a slightly fruity background and notes of Chinook, Mt. Hood, and Willamette hops.

Recent customer reviews on BeerAdvocate.com give Rainier Beer an average rating of around 3.5 out of 5 stars. One reviewer describes it as a "solid AAL" (American Adjunct Lager) that is "reliable, accessible, and reasonably priced." Another reviewer praises its "deluxe AAL taste and flavor" and states that it is "balanced as possible." Some reviewers mention that Rainier Beer is a "northwest classic" and a "summer time favourite."

On Amazon.com, Rainier Beer has received an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 64 customer reviews. One reviewer highlights its "luxurious Yakima hop experience," while another mentions that it is a "perfect companion." A few reviewers express their disappointment that the beer is not available in their state, while others share their nostalgic memories associated with the brand.

Overall, Rainier Beer seems to be well-regarded by customers who appreciate its taste, accessibility, and cultural significance, especially in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States.

Frequently asked questions