Best Oklahoma Spots For 6-Point Beer

Oklahoma's alcohol laws have gone through many changes over the years. In 2018, the state introduced 6% ABV beer and wine, ending a state-wide alcohol shortage. This change meant that stores could sell beer stronger than 3.2% alcohol by weight (3.9% alcohol by volume). Oklahoma's intricate beer laws have been a source of confusion for locals and visitors alike, with the state being one of the last to implement the 3.2% rule. So, where can you buy 6-point beer in Oklahoma? Grocery and convenience stores, including Walmart, can sell beer and wine with up to 15% ABV, and liquor stores can sell beer and wine with no restrictions on ABV. However, liquor stores are limited to operating hours of 8 am to midnight, Monday through Saturday.

Oklahoma's 6-point beer laws

On October 1, 2018, Oklahoma introduced 6% beer and wine, ending a statewide alcohol shortage. The new law allows stores to sell beer stronger than 3.2% alcohol by weight, or 3.9% alcohol by volume. Bars and restaurants can also sell alcohol from 8 a.m., two hours earlier than the previous law.

The change came about after Oklahoma voters approved State Question 792 in 2016, which allowed these new laws to take effect. The reform allowed grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, and other establishments to sell strong beer and wine. It also allowed liquor stores to sell cold beverages and non-alcoholic items.

However, it's important to note that the term "6-point beer" is a bit misleading. In everyday language, Oklahomans use the term "6-point" to refer to full-strength beer or beer that is not 3.2% ABW ("low-point beer"). But in reality, most beers, including popular brands like Budweiser, Miller, and Coors, are not 6% alcohol by volume (ABV) anywhere. Only craft brews and imports tend to have ABV percentages that high or higher.

Oklahoma's beer laws have gone through many changes over the years. For a long time, the state had a lot of dry counties, prohibiting alcohol sales in most municipalities and establishments. But in 2018, residents voted against this ban, ending the long history of dry counties in the state. In 2020, residents in several counties also voted to allow Sunday sales of alcohol in liquor stores.

Where to buy 6-point beer

On 1 October 2018, Oklahoma introduced 6% beer and wine, ending a statewide alcohol shortage. This change meant that stores could sell beer stronger than 3.2% alcohol by weight (3.9% alcohol by volume).

Oklahoma's liquor laws have been through many changes. Until 2018, the state had a lot of dry counties, prohibiting alcohol sales in most municipalities and establishments. In 2020, residents in seven counties, including Cleveland, Kingfisher, Tulsa, and Washington, voted to allow Sunday alcohol sales for liquor stores.

Now, beer and wine can be purchased in Oklahoma from retail outlets, such as grocery stores and convenience stores, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. There are no restrictions on the days of the week for purchasing beer, and it can be bought every day, including Sundays and holidays.

Liquor or package stores in Oklahoma sell beer from 8 a.m. until midnight, Monday through Saturday. They can sell refrigerated beer or wine to their customers on Sundays. Small breweries and wineries may sell beer or wine from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Oklahoma gas stations sell beer and wine from 6 a.m. until 2 a.m., but they can’t sell liquor. The beer has an alcohol limit of 9% ABV, while the wine is up to 15% ABV.

Alcohol by weight vs volume

In 2018, Oklahoma introduced 6% beer and wine, ending the state-wide alcohol shortage. This change meant that stores could sell beer stronger than 3.2% alcohol by weight, which equates to 3.9% alcohol by volume.

Alcohol by volume (or ABV) is a standard measure of the volume of alcohol in a given volume of an alcoholic beverage. It is defined as the number of millilitres (mL) of pure ethanol present in 100 mL of solution at 20 °C. The alcohol by volume standard is used worldwide.

On the other hand, alcohol by weight (ABW) measures the proportion of a drink's mass which is alcohol. ABW is expressed as a percentage of total mass. The ABV value of a beverage is always higher than the ABW.

The relationship between ABV and ABW is not linear. In fact, the two values are in the same proportion as the drink's density is with the density of alcohol. So, to convert between ABV and ABW, the following formula can be used:

ABV = ABW x (density of beverage / density of alcohol)

At relatively low ABV, the alcohol percentage by weight is about 4/5 of the ABV (e.g. 3.2% ABW is about 4% ABV). However, because alcohol and water are miscible, the conversion factor depends on the concentration of alcohol. Most calculators assume that the relationship is linear and that ABW is 80% of ABV, which may be close enough for the range of alcohol that covers most beers.

Beer strength in other states

Beer strength laws vary across the United States. Oklahoma was one of the last states to repeal its 3.2 alcohol rule, which forbade the sale of beer above 3.2% alcohol by weight (ABW) in convenience and grocery stores. In 2018, the state introduced 6% beer and wine, which are now sold in grocery and convenience stores, including Walmart. Oklahoma's current limit for beer in gas stations is 9% ABV.

Other states have also recently updated their beer strength laws. Minnesota is now the only state to limit convenience stores and groceries to 3.2% ABW beer, although it does allow the sale of stronger beer in licensed liquor stores. Kansas has raised its permissible alcohol level for beer to 6% ABV, while Oklahoma has increased its threshold to 8.99% ABV, and Utah to 5% ABV.

Some states have higher limits for beer strength. Vermont allows beer to contain up to 16% ABV, while North Carolina permits 15%, and South Dakota and Georgia allow 14%. Mississippi has a lower limit, forbidding the sale of beer with more than 8% ABW or 10.2% ABV.

Buying 6-point beer in Tulsa

Firstly, it's important to understand that 6-point beer is a term that Oklahomans use to refer to 'full-strength' beer, which is typically around 6% alcohol by volume (ABV). However, it's worth noting that the way Oklahoma measures alcohol in the law is by alcohol by weight (ABW), which is different from the standard measure of ABV. So when looking for 6-point beer in Tulsa, you'll want to keep an eye on both the ABV and ABW measurements.

Where to buy 6-point beer in Tulsa

In Tulsa, you can buy 6-point beer at liquor stores, which are now allowed to sell refrigerated beer. You can also find it at grocery and convenience stores, as well as gas stations, as long as the beer has an alcohol limit of 9% ABV. Keep in mind that liquor stores have different operating hours than other retail outlets, typically opening from 8 am to midnight, Monday through Saturday. Grocery and convenience stores, on the other hand, can sell beer from 6 am to 2 am every day of the week.

History of alcohol laws in Oklahoma

Until recently, Oklahoma had strict alcohol laws that only allowed the sale of low-point beer, which had a maximum of 3.2% ABW or 3.9% ABV. These laws have been changing since 2016, when Oklahoma residents voted to modernise the state's liquor laws. In 2018, the state introduced 6% beer and wine, ending the statewide alcohol shortage. These changes also allowed liquor stores to sell refrigerated beer and wine, as well as non-alcoholic items.

Frequently asked questions