Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has cleared craft brewers in the state to sell full-strength beer for consumption on the premises.
Pruitt issued the opinion Tuesday after the state's Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission asked him to review a new state law that allows the sale of full-strength beer.
“As promised, my office has completed its legal review and analysis of SB 424 and has issued an official opinion in response to the ABLE Commission’s request. Interpreting the law is never about picking winners or losers. This opinion upholds the original intent of the legislature, which was to permit craft brewers to sell high-point beer for consumption both on and off their premises. I am confident this opinion provides certainty to regulators, businesses, and the people of Oklahoma.”
The ABLE Commission asked for the review last week after raising concerns that the new law going into effect Friday allowed breweries to sell bottles and cans of full-strength beer for consumption off premises, but did not legalize sales of glasses of beer for consumption at brewery taprooms.
Lawmakers said their intent was to allow for consumption on premises and Pruitt said the opinion upholds that intent.
