3.2% alcohol beer in Coldorado grocery stores. Why 4.5% Smirnoff?

General Discussion
1

We counted on grocery store alcoholic beverages being maximum 3.2% alcohol.
Just discovered that Smirnoff ICE Green Apple is 4.5% alcohol.

How is that possible?

Since I am on call 24/7, I dilute a glass of 3.2% beer to 1/2 beer, 1/2 water and ice cubes.

(Interesting that Smirnoff’s “12-ounce bottle” is 11.2 ounces.)

Thank you.

2

This is a question for your state liquor regulatory agency.

3

Why drink at all since you have to drive a vehicle? Smirnoff is a malt beverage and has more alcohol. It’s the nature of the beast because it’s not a beer.

4

It looks like if it’s higher than 3.2%, they can sell it but they can’t call it “beer”, even if it tastes and looks exactly like beer.

5
"Why drink at all since you have to drive a vehicle? Smirnoff is a malt beverage and has more alcohol. It's the nature of the beast because it's not a beer."
It's half a bottle of 3.2% diluted to 50% water. Is delicious and refreshing and beer is required with pizza.

I thought nothing over 3.2% alcohol was allowed to be sold in grocery stores.
No wine or liquor may be sold in Coldorado grocery stores. (Except ONE store of each company.)

6

Is that Smirnoff drink the ONLY beverage in the store that’s over the 3.2% limit usually found in Colorado supermarkets? If there are other products with alcohol content over 3.2% the store could have a regular liquor license or a Beer & Wine license allowing them to sell a broader range of alcoholic beverages…

Back in the day, when Joe Coors was able to convince the Colorado legislature that 3.2% beer was a “non-intoxicating beverage” and 18 year olds should be able to legally purchase it, this is how grocery stores got into the beer business…They were allowed to sell 3.2% beer and they could sell it on Sundays…While 18 year olds can no longer buy 3.2% beer, the grocery stores continue to sell a lot of it, much to unsuspecting customers who don’t know or care that it’s “light beer”…

7

Oy, Robert, you’re scaring me a little. Big +1 to @missileman, and I’m going to close this because it’s off topic. But be careful out there.