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Minnesota is the last state in the US (as far as I'm aware) where 3.2 beer is common. It's sold in supermarkets and gas stations where liquor laws mandate that

Minnesota is the last state in the US (as far as I'm aware) where 3.2 beer is common. It's sold in supermarkets and gas stations where liquor laws mandate that beer sold in these types of stores must be at most 3.2% alcohol. One state's worth of demand seems awfully small to me for the big brewing companies to keep bothering to produce 3.2 versions of their products. However that's assuming the legal climate is the main driver for the demand. Maybe the growing interest in NA or low alcohol content beers will lead them to increase availability of 3.2 beers, or market them more.

nemo44x 5y ago
Last time I was in Utah I think beer was low alcohol as well.
- boring_twenties 5y ago
  Utah raised the limit to 5% a year or two ago.
gullywhumper 5y ago
3.2 is not just available for sale, there are still 3.2 bars in Minneapolis as a relic of a law from 1884.[1] 3.2 is the only beer that can be sold in grocery and convenience stores (grocery stores have separate alcohol stores that sell higher content beers, wines, etc.). From the article, CO, KS, OK and UT also sell 3.2. [1] https://www.startribune.com/last-call-for-3-2-beer-bars/203454211/ https://www.startribune.com/last-call-for-3-2-beer-bars/2034...
- mason55 5y ago
  That article is a few years old and the laws have changed in at least CO. Grocery stores can now all sell full strength beer so there's no 3.2 any more here.
  - FourHand451 5y ago
    Most grocery stores near me (in MN) have added separate liquor stores that are attached, but separated. But then they also still sell 3.2 beer in the main portion of the store. Seems weird to me. I assume it will disappear if they think of something better to put on the shelf.
- boring_twenties 5y ago
  That 3.2% is by weight, while everyone else uses volume to measure alcohol content. 3.2% ABW is equivalent to 4.0% ABV. And there is no more 3.2% ABW/4.0% ABV beer in Utah, the limit was recently raised to 5.0% ABV.
jt2190 5y ago
Note that 3.2% is by weight (weird, I know), which is about 4% by volume Edit: update link https://www.americanexperiment.org/minnesota-last-state-standing-with-3-2-beer/ https://www.americanexperiment.org/minnesota-last-state-stan...

nemo44x 5y ago

Last time I was in Utah I think beer was low alcohol as well.

boring_twenties 5y ago
Utah raised the limit to 5% a year or two ago.

gullywhumper 5y ago

3.2 is not just available for sale, there are still 3.2 bars in Minneapolis as a relic of a law from 1884.[1] 3.2 is the only beer that can be sold in grocery and convenience stores (grocery stores have separate alcohol stores that sell higher content beers, wines, etc.). From the article, CO, KS, OK and UT also sell 3.2. [1] https://www.startribune.com/last-call-for-3-2-beer-bars/203454211/ https://www.startribune.com/last-call-for-3-2-beer-bars/2034...

mason55 5y ago
That article is a few years old and the laws have changed in at least CO. Grocery stores can now all sell full strength beer so there's no 3.2 any more here.
- FourHand451 5y ago
  Most grocery stores near me (in MN) have added separate liquor stores that are attached, but separated. But then they also still sell 3.2 beer in the main portion of the store. Seems weird to me. I assume it will disappear if they think of something better to put on the shelf.
boring_twenties 5y ago
That 3.2% is by weight, while everyone else uses volume to measure alcohol content. 3.2% ABW is equivalent to 4.0% ABV. And there is no more 3.2% ABW/4.0% ABV beer in Utah, the limit was recently raised to 5.0% ABV.

jt2190 5y ago

Note that 3.2% is by weight (weird, I know), which is about 4% by volume Edit: update link https://www.americanexperiment.org/minnesota-last-state-standing-with-3-2-beer/ https://www.americanexperiment.org/minnesota-last-state-stan...