
Indiana has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the US. It is the only state to regulate beer by temperature, meaning that cold beer can only be sold in liquor stores. Grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies are banned from selling cold beer, despite polls showing that most Hoosiers want that measure to pass.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Where to buy cold beer | Liquor stores |
Where you can't buy cold beer | Grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies |
What You'll Learn
- Cold beer is only allowed to be sold in liquor stores
- Grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies are banned from selling cold beer
- Party officials can have private investments in liquor stores
- Indiana is the only state to regulate beer by temperature
- Sunday patrons at breweries can take home cold beers fresh from the tap
Cold beer is only allowed to be sold in liquor stores
Indiana is the only state to regulate beer by temperature, allowing only liquor stores to sell cold beer. This is due to the package liquor store lobby, which has successfully convinced lawmakers to take actions in its favour, most notably stopping the expansion of cold beer sales to grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies.
The lobby has been so influential that two Indiana Republicans have bought into a business whose lobby has kept cold beer out of grocery stores and other retail outlets. This has raised conflict-of-interest questions involving the industry's clout at the Statehouse.
Grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies have been trying to convince lawmakers to expand cold beer sales for the past 10 years. However, despite the fact polls have consistently shown most Hoosiers want that measure to pass, it seems unlikely that cold beer will be sold in these stores anytime soon.
On Sundays, Indiana residents have limited options when it comes to alcohol. Those over the age of 21 can purchase drinks by the glass at restaurants and bars, but grocery stores, liquor stores and pharmacies are banned from selling booze on Sundays. Sunday patrons at breweries can take home cold beers fresh from the tap.
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Grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies are banned from selling cold beer
The ban has been in place for at least a decade, with grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies trying to convince lawmakers to expand cold beer sales for the past 10 years. Despite this, the package liquor store lobby has been able to maintain its influence over lawmakers, with two influential Indiana Republicans even buying into a business whose lobby has kept cold beer out of grocery stores and other retail outlets.
The ban has raised conflict-of-interest questions involving the industry's clout at the Statehouse. It has also led to concerns about a monopoly, with critics arguing that there is no difference between liquor stores and grocery stores when it comes to selling cold beer. However, owners of liquor stores have defended the ban, arguing that it is fair and right.
While the ban on cold beer sales in grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies remains in place, Indiana residents do have some options for purchasing cold beer on Sundays. Those over the age of 21 can purchase drinks by the glass at restaurants and bars, and they can also take home cold beers fresh from the tap at breweries.
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Party officials can have private investments in liquor stores
Party officials in Indiana can have private investments in liquor stores. This has led to fears of a monopoly, as grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies have been trying to convince lawmakers to expand cold beer sales for the past 10 years. However, the package liquor store lobby has successfully convinced lawmakers to take actions in its favour, most notably stopping the expansion of cold beer sales to other outlets.
Indiana is the only state to regulate beer by temperature, saving the cold beer for liquor stores. This has led to conflict-of-interest questions involving the industry's clout at the Statehouse. For example, influential Indiana Republicans Kyle Hupfer, the state GOP chairman, and Nate Feltman, commerce secretary under former Gov. Mitch Daniels, have joined a venture as minority partners with Indiana Liquor Group to purchase Save-on Liquor, a chain of 31 stores in north-central Indiana.
Industry leaders and political experts say the fear is that Republican lawmakers will vote for legislation in ways that would help their political allies. Greg Cobb, who owns Freedom Express convenience stores in northern Indiana, said selling cold beer instead of warm beer would be a game changer, but he worries that introducing cold beer sales at stores like his will be even more difficult.
Despite the fact polls have consistently shown most Hoosiers want that measure to pass, Errol Rousseve, owner of City Wide Liquors, is in favour of Indiana's cold beer law. "I think it's fair, I think it's right," he said. "If you opened up cold beer sales to everyone essentially there's no difference between us or a grocery store."
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Indiana is the only state to regulate beer by temperature
This law has been in place for several years, despite efforts from grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies to convince lawmakers to expand cold beer sales. The package liquor store lobby has successfully convinced lawmakers to take actions in its favour, most notably stopping the expansion of cold beer sales to other outlets.
Some people are in favour of the law, such as Errol Rousseve, owner of City Wide Liquors, who said: "If you opened up cold beer sales to everyone essentially there's no difference between us or a grocery store. I think it's fair, I think it's right."
However, others disagree with the law. Greg Cobb, who owns Freedom Express convenience stores in northern Indiana, said that selling cold beer instead of warm beer at his stores would be a "game changer". He worries that introducing cold beer sales at stores like his will be even more difficult.
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Sunday patrons at breweries can take home cold beers fresh from the tap
Indiana has some of the strictest laws in the country when it comes to the sale of cold beer. It is currently against the law to sell cold beer in grocery stores and convenience stores. Instead, cold beer can only be purchased from liquor stores.
However, there is an exception to this rule. Sunday patrons at breweries can take home cold beers fresh from the tap. Evil Czech Brewery in Mishawaka has a special window dedicated specifically for growler refills. Bartender Kelly Durrenberger recommends that customers try a flight of beers before selecting one to take home. She said: "People don’t want to go over the border to Michigan to get their beer, so they just come here".
The package liquor store lobby has successfully convinced lawmakers to take actions in its favour, most notably stopping the expansion of cold beer sales to grocery stores, convenience stores and pharmacies, despite the fact polls have consistently shown most Hoosiers want that measure to pass.
Greg Cobb, owner of Freedom Express convenience stores in northern Indiana, said selling cold beer instead of warm beer would be a game changer. He worries that introducing cold beer sales at stores like his will be even more difficult.
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Frequently asked questions
Cold beer is only available to purchase in liquor stores in Indiana. It is against the law to sell cold beer in grocery stores and convenience stores.
Two influential Indiana Republicans have bought into a business whose lobby has for years kept cold beer out of grocery stores and other retail outlets. The package liquor store lobby has successfully convinced lawmakers to take actions in its favour, most notably stopping the expansion of cold beer sales to grocery stores, despite the fact polls have consistently shown most Hoosiers want that measure to pass.
Indiana residents have limited options when it comes to alcohol on Sundays. Those over the age of 21 can purchase drinks by the glass at restaurants and bars, but grocery stores, liquor stores and pharmacies are banned from selling booze on Sundays. Sunday patrons at breweries can take home cold beers fresh from the tap.
Indiana is the only state to regulate beer by temperature, saving the cold beer for liquor stores.
Greg Cobb, who owns Freedom Express convenience stores in northern Indiana, said selling cold beer instead of warm beer would be a game-changer. He worries that introducing cold beer sales at stores like his will be even more difficult. Errol Rousseve, owner of City Wide Liquors, is in favour of Indiana's cold beer law. "I think it's fair, I think it's right", he said.