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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

News Beer Industry Drops Another $2 Million to Block Liquor Sales

Posted by Dominic Holden on Tue, Aug 31, 2010 at 6:45 AM

If you want to see what the anti-liquor initiative campaign is all about, follow the money.

Last week, Cienna reported that national beer and wine wholesalers groups dropped $2 million to oppose the two initiatives that would end the state monopoly on liquor sales and distribution. But that wasn't enough. According to the latest reports from the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission, the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association have since contributed another $2 million, making "Protect Our Communities" the most funded anti-initiative campaign this year.

Hmm...

The leading arguments we hear against I-1100 and I-1105 are that they will cost the state precious revenue, they will expose kids to the harms of alcohol, or the campaign zinger that we need to "stand up to big business." But that clearly isn't what this is about. The Beer Institute is big business (the chairman of the Beer Institute Board is also the president of Anheuser-Busch). The message seems pretty clear: This campaign is first and foremost about protecting the beer industry (the campaign basically admitted as much last week). The beer industry knows that some shoppers will skip those long, refrigerated beer coolers at the grocery store and buy makings for delicious gin and tonics instead. And if you're in the mood to make a gin and tonic—or have some wine or a beer—you should be able shop for it at the damn grocery store.

Comments (13) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

But...the State has done such a good job protecting The Children (and the rest of us) from the Evils of Alcohol so far! WA state has so few drunk drivers and alcoholics, thanks to the State's regulation!

Posted by HellboundAlleee

on August 31, 2010 at 6:52 AM

Hear, hear.

I'm consistently culture shocked to hell and back by the lack of delicious gin in WA grocery stores, whenever I come back. That shit is ridiculous!

Posted by planned barrenhood on August 31, 2010 at 6:56 AM

Damn you, beer industry. You used to be cool. With your boobie commercials, and your simple catch phrases to entice us to drink your crappy beer. But, now look at you. You're doing something not even helpful. You should be sponsoring an anti-beer tax initiative, but, instead, are rallying against free access to liquor. look at your soda-swill competitors. They're going against taxes. Why aren't you? You used to be cool, man.

Posted by TheMisanthrope on August 31, 2010 at 7:26 AM

I don't drink, thank Zeus! So this affects me how?

Posted by Vince on August 31, 2010 at 7:29 AM

I thought the stranger was against privatizing the liquor stores. Did this change or am I mistaken?

Posted by I'm 85 Years Old on August 31, 2010 at 7:58 AM

So someone is making a competitive product more expensive, using Government regulation, so they can keep their market share.

Boy, when does that ever happen!?!

(Hint: GMA)

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on August 31, 2010 at 8:01 AM

@1

Yes, relative to most states, Washington DOES do a good job of preventing teen access to alcohol. WA has the best no-sale-to-minors compliance rate in the nation.

We also have a lower DUI rate than most states.

Posted by SuperSteve on August 31, 2010 at 8:03 AM

What about the craft brewers' opposition to I-1100? That seemed legit to me.

Posted by Ben on August 31, 2010 at 8:06 AM

@4 maybe in your case it would make you less of an idiot if you DID drink.

Posted by sonder on August 31, 2010 at 1:01 PM

i own a small beer business and i am very competive in beer priceing this bill would shut me down.....plus extra liquor stores cannot be good for our great state.....plus i dont want to sell liquor at my 1000 square foot store just micros and killer deals on coor light....under winco... no way to the change...

Posted by biggs on August 31, 2010 at 8:47 PM

@4 We all drink, so your comment matters to us how?

Posted by pf3

on September 1, 2010 at 1:05 PM

@10 Am I the only one who really loves beer? Is everyone else going to abandon beer if we allow liquor in the grocery store?

Posted by pf3

on September 1, 2010 at 1:07 PM

"i own a small beer business and i am very competive in beer priceing this bill would shut me down"

QED!

Undoubtedly the industry has already spent big money deciding they will lose money from this, but here's an equally plausible scenario: person wants to drink whiskey, would normally just go to a liquor store, but can now go to a more convenient grocery store and picks up a 6 pack they never would have bought while they're at it.

Posted by w7ngman