When To Grab A Beer At King Soopers

King Soopers is a grocery chain with a large presence in Colorado. Due to the state's complex alcohol laws, King Soopers was previously unable to sell beer, wine, and liquor in most of its stores. However, recent changes to these laws have allowed King Soopers to expand its alcohol offerings, leading to speculation about the impact on liquor stores and the wider alcohol market in the state. With King Soopers now able to sell beer, what time can customers purchase it?

King Soopers' liquor store in Denver

King Soopers in Denver, Colorado, has opened a liquor store inside its new grocery store on Leetsdale Drive and South Cherry Street. This is the grocery chain's first and only location in the state that sells alcohol, including beer, wine, and liquor. The store has a separate entrance, a walk-in cooler for bulk beer buying, a tasting area, and a fireplace. It offers a full range of alcoholic beverages, including high-end bottles and craft beer six-packs, bombers, and singles from Colorado breweries.

The opening of this store has sparked a debate about the impact of grocery chains selling alcohol. Currently, Colorado laws allow business entities to own only one liquor license, leading to a "war" between different stores and business interests. Some believe that allowing supermarkets to carry alcohol will hurt specialty stores and reduce job opportunities. However, King Soopers and other grocery corporations have been asking the legislature to change the laws to sell alcohol at all their outlets.

The new King Soopers store is about 75,000 square feet and is the first new King Soopers to open in the Denver metro area in about 18 months. It also features a large Kosher section, a Starbucks, wide aisles, and various food bars, including a salad bar and a chicken bar.

While the store's alcohol selection is extensive, the specific times when one can buy beer or other alcoholic beverages at this King Soopers location in Denver are not explicitly stated. However, given that the store has a separate liquor store and a wide range of alcoholic products, it is likely that beer can be purchased during the regular operating hours of the store.

Colorado's alcohol laws

In Colorado, the sale of alcohol is controlled by The Colorado Liquor Enforcement Division, which is responsible for licensing, tax collection, auditing, fee collection, and enforcing the state's laws and regulations. All businesses that deal with manufacturing, distributing, selling, or importing alcohol in Colorado must be licensed.

Retail stores such as package stores and liquor stores are allowed to sell beer, wine, and spirits. Grocery stores and gas stations can sell beer, but it must be below 3.2% alcohol. Bars are not permitted to sell alcohol between 2:00 AM and 8:00 AM. Alcohol can be purchased from package stores between 8:00 AM and 12:00 AM, seven days a week. Grocery stores and gas stations can sell beer during the same hours.

Colorado has an implied consent law, which means that all consumers with a Colorado driver's license are subject to specific laws regarding driving under the influence of alcohol. The legal drinking age in Colorado is 21, and you must be 21 to work in a liquor store. However, you only need to be 18 years old to serve alcohol at on-premise locations such as bars and restaurants.

Colorado is an open state, meaning private entities handle the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages, but they are still regulated by state legislators. Only wine can be shipped directly to consumers, while shipping spirits and malt beverages is prohibited. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary law was passed that allowed specified on-premises retailers to deliver alcoholic beverages to customers for consumption off-premises or as part of a takeout order. This law is in effect until June 30, 2025.

King Soopers' beer selection

King Soopers offers a wide selection of beer, including non-alcoholic options, craft beers, and high-end bottles. The store boasts a separate liquor store with its own entrance, a walk-in cooler for bulk beer buying, a tasting area, and a fireplace.

The beer selection includes well-known brands such as Heineken 0.0, Budweiser Zero, Coors Edge, and Stella Artois Liberté non-alcoholic beers. King Soopers also offers craft beers, with options like Sierra Nevada Trail Pass Non-Alcoholic IPA, Athletic Brewing Co's Run Wild IPA, and local Colorado craft beers. For those looking for a more premium experience, King Soopers has a range of high-end bottles, although specific examples are not provided.

In addition to their extensive beer options, King Soopers also has a large selection of wines and liquors. The store's liquor section includes a variety of spirits, mixers, and gluten-free options.

The opening of this King Soopers location in Denver has been described as a "declaration of war" on other liquor stores in the area due to its wide selection and competitive pricing. The store's variety, especially in craft beers, is expected to boost the chain's public image as it lobbies the legislature to change laws and allow alcohol sales at all its outlets.

While King Soopers pushes for more locations to sell alcohol, the manager of a nearby specialty store, Colorado Liquor Mart, argues against allowing supermarkets to carry booze. He predicts that while convenience will initially drive customers to King Soopers, sales will improve at specialty stores as customers return for the expertise of their staff and their eclectic product selections.

Liquor license rules

In Colorado, liquor license rules restrict business entities to owning only one liquor license. This means that grocery chains are unable to sell beer, wine, or alcohol from more than one location in the state. As a result, grocery chains like King Soopers, Safeway, and Target have to choose a single location to sell alcoholic beverages. This restriction has led to competition among retailers, with King Soopers' new liquor store in Denver being seen as a "declaration of war" on other liquor stores in the area.

The specific location of King Soopers' liquor store at Leetsdale Drive and South Cherry Street in Denver is its first and only location in Colorado that sells alcoholic beverages. This 10,000-square-foot store is more than just a liquor aisle, featuring a separate entrance, a walk-in cooler for bulk beer purchases, a tasting area, and a fireplace. It offers a full range of liquor, wine, and beer, including high-end bottles and craft beer options.

The current liquor license rules in Colorado have resulted in a competitive landscape for alcohol sales, with each major grocery chain strategically choosing where to utilize its liquor license. For instance, Safeway uses its license at its Mineral Road store in Littleton, while Target sells alcohol at its Glendale store, just blocks away from King Soopers' new location.

While King Soopers and other grocery corporations have lobbied the legislature for three years to change the laws and allow them to sell alcohol at all their outlets, the outcome remains uncertain. The manager of a nearby liquor store, Colorado Liquor Mart, argues against allowing supermarkets to carry alcohol, predicting that it would lead to a reduction in jobs and a decrease in the selection of alcoholic beverages available to consumers.

The impact of King Soopers' new liquor store is expected to be significant, particularly for smaller liquor stores in the area. However, the convenience of purchasing alcohol at a grocery store may drive customer preferences, potentially affecting specialty liquor stores and shaping the future of alcohol sales in Colorado.

Liquor stores vs supermarkets

In the United States, the laws surrounding alcohol sales vary from state to state. This is due to the repeal of federal prohibition, which left the regulation of alcohol sales to individual states. In some states, such as California, individuals can buy beer, wine, and liquor at grocery stores. In other states, beer can be purchased at supermarkets, but wine and hard liquor must be bought at a liquor store. In states like Utah, alcoholic beverages can only be purchased at state-run facilities.

The advantages of purchasing alcohol at a supermarket are convenience and, often, competitive pricing. For example, King Soopers, a grocery chain in Colorado, opened a liquor store inside one of its locations, offering a wide selection of liquor, wine, and beer, including high-end and craft options. This convenience and accessibility may be beneficial for customers, especially those looking for a one-stop shop for all their grocery and alcohol needs.

On the other hand, liquor stores, particularly smaller, specialty stores, often have knowledgeable staff, including sommeliers, and may offer a wider range of eclectic products. They may also be more supportive of local breweries and wineries, providing a platform for smaller producers to reach customers. Additionally, liquor stores are often family-owned or 'mom-and-pop' businesses, and shopping at these stores directly supports the local community and keeps money within the local economy.

The debate surrounding the sale of alcohol in supermarkets versus liquor stores has various implications. Some argue that allowing supermarket alcohol sales may decrease the density of liquor stores in an area, potentially reducing the number of places where individuals can purchase alcohol. There are also concerns about the impact on small businesses, with owners of liquor stores arguing that they would struggle to compete with large supermarket chains. On the other hand, supermarkets selling alcohol may face opposition from public health advocates, as increased access to alcohol could potentially lead to higher rates of excessive drinking and related harms.

Ultimately, the decision to purchase alcohol from a liquor store or a supermarket depends on various factors, including an individual's priorities, preferences, and the specific laws in their state.

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