Some businesses oppose keg ban

The retailers aren't happy:

(Montgomery Advertiser) Alabama business owners Wednesday urged their representatives to reject a bill that would ban the sale of beer kegs to individuals.

The calls came just one day after the Alabama Senate voted 30-0 to ban keg sales except to restaurants and bars.

"We've been getting calls all day from constituents saying, 'Vote against the bill, vote against the bill,'" said Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee.

She met with owners of the Cold Keg, a business that sells beer kegs in Shorter, to discuss the impact the bill would have on the 25-year-old business. It wouldn't be good.

"With Macon County being in the economic crunch it's in now, I can't afford to see one business close," said Warren, adding that she would poll members of the House to see if the bill has the votes to pass. If it does, she said she would work on an amendment to allow Cold Keg owners to continue to sell beer by the gallon, half-gallon and quart. ...

"How does not selling kegs stop underage drinking?" asked M.S. Reddy, who owns two keg sales stores in Auburn. "What's the difference between a person buying a keg and 10 cases of beer?"

Reddy said keg sales are the "heart" of his business in Auburn, where he sells as many as 60 kegs a week but always checks the buyer's driver's license.