Sacramento has an interesting law that puts the hurt on single bottles of beer. Even with Sacramento Craft Beer Week swinging into focus, the city still has a set of laws that hinders the growth and sales of craft beer in the area.
In 1996, a law was established that limited the sales of single bottles of beer in an attempt for the city to gain control of litter and alcohol consumption, and simultaneously over the liquor licensing for the city. The law at the time seemed simple enough, according to the News Review. "Sales of beer and malt beverages shall be in quantities of not less than a six pack."
In that time period, the modern craft beer industry did not exist as it does today. But in modern day, this law is a death knell to many craft brewers. At the time, single bottles were 40-ounce beers, known colloquially as 40's. These beers were believed to be responsible for urban blight, and an increase in litter and the drunkenness of the homeless population.Now, a single bottle is sold with increasing frequency, including high end 22-ounce bottles, known as "bombers", or single bottles from a six pack which have also grown in popularity.
A brewery right outside of Sacramento, Stone, was founded at the time of the law's beginning. Now, the company sells hundreds of thousands of 22-ounce bottles every year, and a law such as this could possibly hurt them during beer fest.
The Sacramento Police have written waivers for a few dispensers of beer, allowing them more freedom to sell singles with impunity. Even with the law, the cops believe the most important rule is public safety, implying that the law may not be enforced unless people are exhibiting extreme public intoxication.
