Fans' beer woes may be brewing

By John Estus
Published: October 2, 2007

If the Sooner loss in Boulder stung, just think how a sweltering stint in the Cotton Bowl would feel without a cold beer to calm the nerves. No beer? Bummer, Sooner.

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This past weekend, servers at Fair Park beer stands surrounding the Cotton Bowl wouldn't serve some Oklahomans alcohol because they didn't have valid Texas identification. Some servers claimed selling alcohol to people who appear to be younger than 30 and present out-of-state IDs is against state law and State Fair of Texas policy.

Neither is true, and a fair official said he will remind servers that out-of-state IDs are OK to accept — particularly with "truckloads” of University of Oklahoma football fans headed to Dallas for Saturday's game against the University of Texas Longhorns.

"Valid IDs are valid IDs,” said Ron Black, vice president of food service at the State Fair of Texas. "We have a policy that our concessionaires are supposed to ID anybody that looks under 30. As far as that goes, that is the extent of our policy. We don't make them use Texas drivers' licenses. That's up to the individual concessionaire for their protection.”

Black said servers are sometimes hesitant to serve alcohol to out-of-state fairgoers because a caveat in the state's alcoholic beverage control law protects them from prosecution if a minor presents an apparently valid form of Texas identification in order to obtain alcohol.

That protection does not apply to out-of-state IDs, but it doesn't mean selling alcohol to people from out of state is illegal.

Still, it's not uncommon for Texas companies and servers to refuse to sell alcohol to people who show out-of-state identification, said Carolyn Beck, a spokeswoman for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Some are just being cautious in order to avoid punishment from the TABC, but others may be misinterpreting the law, Beck said.

Commission agents are conducting sting operations at the State Fair of Texas in attempt to catch servers who may be selling beer to minors, regardless of what state they're from, Beck said.

"When the TABC observes an infraction, they could care less. They react pretty much immediately,” Black said.

Minors caught buying, drinking or being under the influence of alcohol in Texas can face a misdemeanor charge and a fine up to $500. Serving alcohol to a minor is also a misdemeanor in Texas and could cost the server up to $4,000 in fines and jail time.


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Sorry folks, I apologize. My nephew posted earlier under my profile. Here's the info:
Colorado has 3.2%, Minnesota has 3.2% beer. Check out Tennessee's, and California's, and Nevada's law's!
http://en.wikapedia.org/wiki/alcohol_laws_of_the_United_states_by_state
We really don't have terrible liquor laws, compared to other states. They are all messed up. Each state is diferent. I get tired of people complaining all the time. Learn to be happy and look at the things in life to be appreciative of. Oklahoma is a great state compared to most in every way. Have a great day!
Jesse, Oklahoma City - Oct 3, 2007 11:08 AM
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Mister,

Evidently you have a nazi fetish!!! GOOBER!!!
Bob, Hanahan - Oct 3, 2007 7:04 AM
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I get my beer from the liquor store. It is the real stuff both"point wise" and quality wise. Step up to a Sam Adams and have a real beer.
John, Norman - Oct 2, 2007 10:23 PM
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Bobby: jawold mein fuerher !
mister, bogata - Oct 2, 2007 6:28 PM
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Mister from Bogata, carry your butt to Turkey (EFES: 11.0) and see who drinks the stouter beer. You must be Cletus' riding mower winch so you can pick up some dip for your girlfriend!!!
Bob, Hanahan - Oct 2, 2007 3:46 PM
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Mister from Bogata, carry your butt to Turkey (EFES: 11.0) and see who drinks the stouter beer. You must be Cletus' riding mower winch so you can pick up some dip for your girlfriend!!!
Bob, Hanahan - Oct 2, 2007 3:46 PM
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Mister from Bogota, carry your butt to Turkey (EFES: 11.0) and see who drinks the stouter beer. You must be Cletus' riding mower winch so you can pick up some dip for your girlfriend!!!
Bob, Hanahan - Oct 2, 2007 3:45 PM
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I'm with Eric, send in the scrotum grabber. Better yet suit him up!
Kevin, Shawnee - Oct 2, 2007 3:14 PM
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I think OU fans need to have an old school English soccer hooligan come show them how to REALLY behave at a football game ;o)
mister, bogata - Oct 2, 2007 3:09 PM
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Louis, not everyone who likes to have a beer with a ballgame is an alcoholic and I am offended by your remark. I don't think anyone posted that they like to get drunk and watch a ballgame. There is a BIG difference in enjoying a beer with a game and needing to drink.
Christina, oklahoma city - Oct 2, 2007 3:00 PM
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no problem, if they refuse to serve any ou fans, we can just send the scrotum grabber in to take care of things
Eric, Oklahoma City - Oct 2, 2007 1:52 PM
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Louis, the people that think it's their business that someone has a beer with their ballgames are called busybodies and need to get a life. It's frankly none of your business if I, or anyone of legal age, enjoys a beer with a ballgame. The fact that you seem obsessed about it shows who has the "problem" here. The first step to overcoming the urge to stick your nose in other people's business is to simply remind yourself that God has not handed you a license to act as His representative on Earth. And, ah yes, the smarmy, ad hominen "if you defend beer drinking you must be an addict" silliness is noted, and dismissed with the contempt it is due. Have a nice day.
Jason, Edmond - Oct 2, 2007 1:34 PM
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Jason, the people that have to have beer with their ballgames are called alcoholics and need to get a life. If you can't enjoy the game without a beer, you have a propblem. I enjoy beer on occasions, but I do so responsibly and am not one that has to have it to watch a game or have a good time. The first step to overcoming addiction is admitting you have a problem.
Louis, Oklahoma City - Oct 2, 2007 1:26 PM
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Thanks Darin in Plano for the encouragement, I will go to the Cottonbowl...when I get out of prison.
Kevin, Shawnee - Oct 2, 2007 1:25 PM
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Thanks for the link, Justin. The latter one clearly shows that almost all domestic beers are in the 4-5% range, and many are in the high five range. "Jesse in OKC," now that they've been proven inaccurate thanks to Justin's link, would you care to retract and/or revise your remarks?
Jason, Edmond - Oct 2, 2007 1:13 PM
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Or here:

http://www.beer100.com/beercalories.htm
Justin, Oklahoma City - Oct 2, 2007 1:08 PM
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If you really want correct information, go to the source:
http://contactus.anheuser-busch.com/contactus/nutrition.asp
Justin, Oklahoma City - Oct 2, 2007 1:03 PM
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Jesse in OKC, you don't know what you're talking about. California does not sell 3.2% by volume beer, no state other than Oklahoma and Utah does. Educate yourself before you post.
Valarie in Moore, it "matters" because some folks enjoy a beer with their ball game, and are being denied that legal enjoyment on spurious grounds. The fact that you don't approve of that has zero bearing on the issue.
Jason, Edmond - Oct 2, 2007 12:56 PM
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Jesse, what are you talking about? California has no such 3.2% law. I live here, and beers as high as 11% are available in stores. Speaking of doing your research ...

Valerie, I agree with your first sentence -- it's about the sports, not the booze. But you couldn't be more wrong about beer, unless you're referring to that nasty ricewater like Budweiser or Miller Genuine Draft. Real handcrafted microbrews are the BEST thing on Earth. I'll bet you drink wine =op

Sláinte,
Seamus
Seamus - Oct 2, 2007 12:52 PM
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Ty, Califinia has 3.2% beer, as do a number of other states. Do your research before posting incorrect information.
Don is correct about the % of alcohol in beers.
Jesse, Oklahoma City - Oct 2, 2007 12:38 PM
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Me too, Todd! Much better seats and air conditioning!
Christina, oklahoma city - Oct 2, 2007 11:27 AM
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how can you go to any sporting event and not have beer? ill sit in front of my tv with an ice cold budweiser.
Randy, Moore - Oct 2, 2007 11:27 AM
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Ty from Oklahoma City: If Oklahoma is so bad, (native for trailer park????) then MOVE. I like both Texas and Oklahoma. Texas beer does taste a little different (in a good way)and may be a little stronger, but so what? The OU/Texas game at the Cotton Bowl is a tradition. Valerie is right, go for the fun, not to get drunk.
Christina, oklahoma city - Oct 2, 2007 11:27 AM
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I don't see why any of this matters. People should be going to these sporting events to have fun, not get drunk! Besides beer is the nastiest stuff on the planet!
Valarie, Midwest City - Oct 2, 2007 11:22 AM
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As a sooner who now lives in the Dallas area, I can tell you there is nothing wrong with the cotton bowl abd fair park,especially during the fair. You do want to be careful outside of fair park at night,but the same can be said of any large city. Just stay in little shawnee kevin and youll be fine.
Daryn, Plano - Oct 2, 2007 11:22 AM
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It seems they are erring on the side of caution. I can't help but support them because the laws are so strict (absurdly so). How about this....DON'T GO TO THE COTTONBOWL....it's a filthy, dangerous environment anyway.
Kevin, Shawnee - Oct 2, 2007 10:57 AM
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Why does the other ( trashiest ) half of Oklahoma that hasn't yet moved to North Texas want to get there so badly then I wonder Julie ? Must be for the stronger alcohol, cuz it's certainly not for the higher paying JOBS now is it ? LMAO
mister, bogata - Oct 2, 2007 10:35 AM
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This happened to me back in August at a concert at the Smirnoff Center. A vendor refused to sell me beer because of my OK DL. I'm 42 years old, and DO NOT look 30 or younger.

Domestic beers in Texas are measured by Volume and Oklahoma's 3.2% by weight. There is a difference, but it isn't much percentage wise.
Michael, Oklahoma City - Oct 2, 2007 10:32 AM
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Ty, your beloved five-point beer is a myth. Domestic lager (Bud, Miller, Coors, etc.) in excess of 3.2% by volume is typically 3.5 - 3.6%. Stronger alcohol content is found in porters (4%), ales (5%), and (ugh!) malt liquors, but S, Norman is correct - popular domestic beer in excess of 3.2% is barely that. Enjoy!
Don, Norman - Oct 2, 2007 9:37 AM
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"In the union" What are you 90? Texas is right behind Oklahoma on the poor scale, ranked 9th.
Jdawg, Dallas - Oct 2, 2007 9:15 AM
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Uh Texas beer is 5.2% like all the other normal states. It is just Oklahoma (the only land the Indians gave back) and the mormons who have 3.2%. Which is another laughing stock. America's alcohol laws are absurd to begin with, but Oklahoma takes the cake. Oklahoma needs to worry about fixing one the poorest states in the Union, themselves(thank God for Mississippi eh)
Oklahoma, a native word for trailer park...
Ty, Oklahoma City - Oct 2, 2007 8:31 AM
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Bobby, good one. Thanks for the laugh.
Margaret, Holdenville - Oct 2, 2007 8:07 AM
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Mister, Texas beer is 3.6% alcohol by volume, compared to 3.2% in Oklahoma. Some big difference there. So much for Oklahoma "safety beer". No matter where they get the beer, a drunk is still a drunk.
S, Norman - Oct 2, 2007 8:05 AM
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Bobby=message board Nazi
mister, bogata - Oct 2, 2007 7:57 AM
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Cletus,

YOu're probably the town drunk that rides his riding mower down to the quickie mart for a 12 pack of busch beer. Get a life and get off the web site!!!!
Bob, Hanahan - Oct 2, 2007 7:09 AM
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Cletus , its cuz Okies are used to their 3.2 " safety beer" , they can't handle the stronger stuff south of the Red.*hiccup*
mister, bogata - Oct 2, 2007 6:55 AM
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nothing worse than a drunk texan. longhorns down
geoffrey, carnegie - Oct 2, 2007 4:32 AM
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they just do that because their from oklahoma
geoffrey, carnegie - Oct 2, 2007 4:30 AM
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