The Alabamians Ready for Convenience Coalition (ARCC) today announced a new survey conducted by McLaughlin & Associates that found nearly two-thirds (63%) of Alabama residents support allowing licensed retailers to sell spirits ready-to-drink cocktails at the same locations as beer, wine and malt-based canned cocktails. Support climbed to three-quarters (74%) as they learned more about the issue and the similar alcohol content of the RTD beverages.

“In today’s polarized political landscape, it’s rare to find issues that enjoy bipartisan support,” Jim McLaughlin, president of McLaughlin & Associates, said in a report from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. “In Alabama, there is consistent and robust support for sensible sales policies, with 61% of Republicans, 73% of Democrats and 61% of Independents endorsing a policy to allow spirits RTDs to be sold alongside beer and wine.”

The average alcohol-by-volume (ABV) of both beer and spirits-based canned cocktails is between 6-10%. Under current Alabama law, beer is allowed to be sold in grocery and convenience stores along with wine and malt-based canned cocktails, but spirits-based canned cocktails are required to be sold at a liquor store despite having the same or similar alcohol content.

ARCC is made up of the Alabama Grocers Association, the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association, the Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Diageo, United-Johnson Brothers of Alabama and Gulf Distributing Holdings.

“Grocers hear from customers every day about their desire to easily purchase spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails,” said Ellie Taylor, president and CEO of the Alabama Grocers Association. “Our industry has a proven track record of selling beverage alcohol in a responsible way, following all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.”

ARCC is focused on increasing consumer convenience by advocating for legislation to allow spirits RTDs to be sold where beer and wine are sold.

“Alabamians understand that allowing ready-to-drink cocktails to be sold in the same retail locations as beer and wine is long overdue,” said Mindy Hanan, president and CEO of the Alabama Restaurant and Hospitality Association. “We are eager to modernize these Prohibition Era liquor laws and offer more convenience and choice to consumers. The Alabama Legislature needs to support legislation aligning with what Alabama voters want – fair and sensible policy for ready-to-drink cocktails.”

Adult consumers interested in supporting the effort to make spirits-based canned cocktails available in retail outlets where beer and wine are available for purchase can sign up at Ready4Convenience.com.

“Having spirits ready-to-drink beverages available in convenience stores provides Alabama’s adult consumers with the products they desire in a convenient and responsible way,” said Bart Fletcher, president of the Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama. “It’s time Alabama joined our neighboring states in making these products available in locations consumers prefer.”

For more information, visit www.alabamagrocers.org and www.arhaonline.com.