3.2 beer brands could soon start vanishing from store shelves in Utah

Beer in a supermarket, Salt Lake City, Utah, undated. | File photo courtesy of Ben Winslow, Fox13now.com, St. George News

SALT LAKE CITY — Retailers in Utah are worried that some big name brands of beer could start disappearing from store shelves over the next month or so.

According to a report from Fox13Now, as of Oct. 1, Oklahoma has ditched 3.2 beer.

“They were the lion’s share of the 3.2 beer volume in the country. They represented 60-percent of the 3.2 volume in the country,” said Dave Davis, the president of the Utah Retail Merchants Association, which represents more than 3,000 grocery and convenience stores across the state.

Next year, Kansas and Colorado will move toward selling heavier brews, leaving Utah as one of the last remaining states to sell 3.2 percent alcohol by weight beer.

“Once the changes take effect, Utah will be the largest consumer of 3.2% ABW beer, and 3.2% ABW beer will make up only 0.5% of the entire beer sales in the United States,” said a letter sent by Anheuser-Busch to Utah beer wholesalers and first reported on by FOX 13 last year.

Davis said national brewers like Anheuser-Busch have indicated to Utah retailers they will begin producing less of the product, which will affect what consumers see on store shelves. Davis told Fox13 it could be as much as a 40 percent drop in product.

“Your favorite brand may disappear altogether,” he said. “Or it may go to being available in both a six pack, a 24-pack and a 36-pack and now it’s only available in a 24-pack.”

Utah’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has said it cannot handle an increased customer load if 3.2 beer starts disappearing. Kate Bradshaw, who is heading up the newly formed Utah Alcohol Coalition to lobby for businesses on the issue, also raised concerns that sending people to state-run liquor stores could prompt people to buy even stronger spirits and creating a bigger public safety concern.

Read the full story here: Fox13Now.com.

Written by BEN WINSLOW, Fox13Now.com.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright 2018, KSTU. A Tribune broadcasting station.

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21 Comments

  • Happy Commenter October 12, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    Just drop the 3.2% requirement. Adults are buying it. Most in our area are buying alcohol out of state anyway because of availability and the much lower prices. State liquor stores charge way too much anyway!

  • Carpe Diem October 12, 2018 at 12:31 pm

    Time to drop the charade and sell real beer in stores.

  • Carpe Diem October 12, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    This particular issue is similar to the Gay Marriage and Med MJ issues… the COJCOLDS keeps losing ground. Is there another planet that one can go to that is more pure?

    • 42214 October 12, 2018 at 1:54 pm

      Uranus?

      • Happy Commenter October 12, 2018 at 3:24 pm

        You should know!

        • 42214 October 12, 2018 at 8:19 pm

          I bet Uranus has been explored many times.

          • Real Life October 12, 2018 at 10:12 pm

            Snappy comeback, Dumpster.

        • Carpe Diem October 12, 2018 at 8:23 pm

          He evidently was triggered by the Gay part.

          • 42214 October 13, 2018 at 4:23 pm

            Not triggered, just turned on a little.

  • iceplant October 12, 2018 at 6:16 pm

    Utah beer is awful. Thankfully Mesquite is close.

    • Redbud October 12, 2018 at 6:58 pm

      Iceplant, that’s the most sensible comment I’ve heard you say! Hooray for Lee’s and Smiths in Mesquite!!!

      • iceplant October 13, 2018 at 5:38 pm

        Redbud. Hey man, when it comes down to beer, we are ALL on the same side. Cheers.

    • BobJoeSmith October 13, 2018 at 12:16 am

      Amen to that brotha! Gotta make a weekly trip to mesquite for ACTUAL beer and other misc alcohol products.

  • Carpe Diem October 12, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    Why do you take two Mormons deer hunting with you?

    Because if you bring only one, he’ll drink all your beer!

    • Real Life October 12, 2018 at 8:54 pm

      Don’t quit your day job dummy.

  • utahdiablo October 12, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    Time to make even more real beer runs to “Mr Lee’s”,….and grab a few cases of Natty Daddy 8% beer, or the Black Ice 5,8% beer,…just have to watch out for smokey bear,,:>)

  • BobJoeSmith October 13, 2018 at 12:18 am

    The DABC needs to realize that they are going to lose alot of money if they don’t drop this ridiculous 3.2% BS. Mormons can’t control everything!

  • Larry October 13, 2018 at 4:49 am

    3.2 Beer for those that really don’t want to get drunk, but still feel the need to urinate.
    Good Irish Whiskey you can buy, but as for 3.2 Beer there is only the option to rent.

  • KR567 October 13, 2018 at 8:01 am

    LOL ….most folks I know all go to Mesquite to buy their beer and liquor

  • JOSH DALTON October 13, 2018 at 8:04 am

    DILLY DILLY!!

  • Mike P October 13, 2018 at 12:10 pm

    Yeah, when a single can of beer at the “state store” cost $2+ and you can get a six pack in mesquite for $4 ? do the math Utah, your losing a lot of revenue. I buy it by the keg now so I cut down on the mesquite trips

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