DENVER – Colorado brewers continued their push against allowing the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores, tapping a special beer brewed in an effort to unite Coloradans against the idea.
The Keep Colorado LocALE was tapped Wednesday at an alehouse in Denver, where brewers and liquor store owners gathered to express concerns with a possible ballot initiative led by larger retailers.
The “beer battle” is nothing new, as talks to allow sales in supermarkets and convenience stores fizzled in the Legislature over the years. With a lack of progress on the legislative level, the Colorado Retail Council – which represents retailers – is seriously considering taking the issue to voters in 2016, though the group has not yet filed paperwork.
Brewers are concerned that the effort would hurt business by limiting choice. They point out that liquor stores often carry a wide selection, whereas supermarkets might choose to stock only larger producers. If liquor stores start to go out of business, then there would be fewer places to distribute Colorado’s wide variety of craft beer, they say.
“It’s really just to have a talking piece, a catalyst for conversation ... ” said Tim Evon, head brewer at Dry Dock Brewing Co. in Aurora, who brewed the Keep Colorado LocALE. “This beer is essentially that avenue to that kind of conversation and education. I’m hoping that people realize that if this ballot initiative were to pass, we would lose a big part of this amazing craft culture.”
The pale ale was brewed simply, so that other breweries across the state can brew it themselves, perhaps adding their own distinguishing ingredients. In addition to Dry Dock, nine other breweries will serve the beer, including Steamworks Brewing Co. in Durango.
Dave Thibodeau, co-owner of Durango-based Ska Brewing Co., said he supports the campaign, pointing out that Colorado voters should be educated on the potential ballot initiative.
“The idea behind the LocALE is to get out in front of it and inform the public that these locally owned, independent, small businesses in our state have always supported the craft brewers,” Thibodeau said of liquor stores. “The public, they don’t think of it at that deep of a level. They just think it will be convenient ... so the approach is to get the information out to the public.”
Staying true to the “keep Colorado local” theme, the beer uses Colorado malts and hops.
Supporters of the ballot idea – including Colorado Consumers for Choice – said they are trying to offer convenience.
“If you visit a grocery store in one of the 40-some-odd states that sell real beer and wine, guess what you’ll find? A massive selection of the world’s most popular craft brews, including a long list that are brewed right here in Colorado,” said Rich Coolidge, spokesman for Colorado Consumers for Choice.
“The liquor stores, of course, love the Prohibition-era laws that give them a monopoly, and there’s no amount of silly spin and gimmickry they won’t use to protect it at the expense of Colorado consumers,” he said. “So we congratulate the liquor store monopolies on the launch of their new beer. Wouldn’t it be great if you could pick it up while you’re shopping for dinner?”
Denise Baron, an organizer for Keep Colorado Local, responded. “If you were trying to define the exact opposite of a monopoly, you’d only have to look at Colorado’s current liquor system with nearly 1,600 independent businesses competing against each other. We have a level playing field that allows each person to own one liquor store. That means anyone from the mom-and-pop store around the corner to Wal-mart have the same opportunity.”
pmarcus@durangoherald.com