For decades, Oklahoma operated under strict alcohol regulations, particularly when it came to beer sales in grocery stores and gas stations. Before 2018, the law mandated that any beer sold outside of a liquor store could not exceed 3.2% ABV, commonly referred to as “low-point beer.” This meant that grocery stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets were restricted to selling weaker versions of popular beer brands, while stronger, full-strength beers were only available in liquor stores.
The 3.2% ABV law was a remnant of Prohibition-era restrictions, initially designed to limit alcohol consumption. While many states phased out these laws over time, Oklahoma continued enforcing them for decades, making it one of the few remaining states to limit grocery store beer sales to such a low alcohol content. This restriction frustrated consumers and beer enthusiasts, as many popular craft beers, imported brands, and stronger lagers were not available in Oklahoma’s grocery and convenience stores.
Another major issue with Oklahoma’s pre-2018 beer laws was that liquor stores were not allowed to refrigerate full-strength beer. This meant that even if someone wanted to purchase a stronger beer from a liquor store, they had to buy it warm and chill it at home. This inconvenience limited consumer options and made Oklahoma’s beer laws one of the most outdated in the nation.
To address these issues, a statewide vote in 2016 led to the passing of new alcohol legislation, which went into effect on October 1, 2018. The new law eliminated the 3.2% ABV restriction, allowing full-strength beer to be sold cold in grocery stores, convenience stores, and liquor stores. This change had a significant impact on the beer market in Oklahoma, opening the door for a wider variety of craft, domestic, and imported beers to be sold in standard retail locations.
With the removal of the 3.2% ABV restriction, Oklahoma’s beer selection has expanded dramatically, allowing consumers to access a much broader variety of beer styles and strengths. Before the law changed, beer drinkers in Oklahoma were limited to watered-down versions of popular brands, as many breweries created special lower-alcohol versions of their beers just for Oklahoma’s market. Many craft breweries and international beer brands also chose not to distribute their products in Oklahoma because they would have needed to produce a special, lower-alcohol version of their beer to comply with the law.
With the new legal limit allowing beer up to 15% ABV, the variety of beer available in Oklahoma has increased significantly. Additionally, local craft breweries have benefited significantly from the ability to sell full-strength beer directly to consumers, making it easier for them to compete with national brands. Many Oklahoma-based breweries, such as Coop Ale Works, Prairie Artisan Ales, and Marshall Brewing Company, have expanded their production and distribution, bringing more locally brewed high-ABV options to stores and restaurants across the state.
Bars and restaurants have also benefited from the new beer laws, as they are now able to serve full-strength craft beer without additional licensing restrictions. This has increased the variety of beer available on tap, making Oklahoma a more attractive destination for beer enthusiasts and fostering a growing craft beer culture in the state.
Since the 2018 law change, beer with an alcohol content of up to 15% ABV can now be purchased at multiple retail locations across Oklahoma. This has greatly improved convenience for consumers, eliminating the need to visit liquor stores just to buy stronger beer. Now, full-strength beer is widely available cold and ready to drink in grocery stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets.
Grocery stores such as Walmart, Target, and Whole Foods, as well as major gas station chains, now sell full-strength beer alongside their regular beverage selections. Liquor stores, which previously had a monopoly on full-strength beer sales, now face increased competition from grocery and convenience stores, leading to better prices and more selection for consumers.
Bars and restaurants have also expanded their beer menus, offering a broader range of craft beers, local brews, and high-ABV specialty beers that were previously unavailable. This change has made Oklahoma a more attractive destination for beer lovers, encouraging a thriving craft beer scene and better overall beer culture in the state.
Overall, the ability to sell full-strength beer in multiple retail locations has made Oklahoma a much more consumer-friendly state for beer lovers, offering greater selection, convenience, and access to higher-quality brews. The positive economic impact on local breweries, bars, and distributors has also helped the state foster a growing beer industry that continues to thrive under the new regulations.
As of October 1, 2018, Oklahoma allows beer with an alcohol content of up to 15% ABV to be sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants. This is a major shift from the previous law, which limited grocery and convenience store beer sales to 3.2% ABV. The higher ABV cap now allows for a greater variety of craft, imported, and full-strength beers to be sold across the state.
