Alabama lawmakers are currently considering bills that would allow the sale of pre-mixed, “ready-to-drink” canned alcoholic beverages in grocery stores and gas stations. One bill has already been filed, while another is in draft form. The proposed legislation would permit the sale of “mixed spirit beverages” with up to 13.9% alcohol by volume, expanding beyond the current availability in ABC and private package stores.
Senator Chris Elliott is working on drafting a bill that includes consensus language to facilitate discussions among interested parties. The proposed 13.9% ABV limit could be revised as the bill progresses. However, previous attempts to expand the sales of these beverages to other retailers have failed due to concerns about accessibility to minors and distribution conflicts between different wholesalers.
In a separate move, Senator Bobby Singleton has filed legislation to create new retail licenses for “spirit infused beverages” with up to 7% ABV. Singleton had previously introduced ready-to-drink beverage legislation in 2023 and 2024, but his newest bill is scaled down compared to those previous attempts.
Both proposals have garnered support from grocery and gas station associations. The future of these bills and the extent of the conversation during this legislative session are still uncertain. Lawmakers hope to find common ground among stakeholders in order to move forward with regulations regarding the sale of canned alcoholic beverages in Alabama.
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