Kansas Senate blocks sale of strong beer in grocery stores

TOPEKA – The Kansas Senate has rejected a measure to allow supermarkets and convenience stores to sell full-strength beer.

The chamber voted 11-26 Thursday to prevent the proposal from being added to a broader bill on alcohol regulations.

Supermarkets and convenience stores in Kansas can currently only sell beer with 3.2 percent alcohol. Stronger alcoholic drinks can only be sold in the state’s roughly 750 individually-owned liquor stores.

The idea of expanding alcohol sales in other retail locations has generated fierce lobbying efforts on both sides of the issue.

The wider bill would allow alcohol to be consumed at official events at the state capitol. It would also create a permit process for alcohol to be sold and consumed at venues like fairs, farmer’s markets and art galleries.

This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 6:55 AM with the headline "Kansas Senate blocks sale of strong beer in grocery stores."