By TRYSTAN KNAPP
As of Monday, those older than 21 years of age are able to buy full-strength beer at grocery and convenience stores in Kansas.
Before this change, if an adult wanted to drink beer with an alcohol content above 3.2 percent, they would have to go to a liquor store to get it. The change will allow for those to commute to closer convenience or grocery stores instead of finding the nearest liquor store around them.
All beer up to 6.0 percent will be available at convenience and grocery stores, which means plenty of domestic beer and a few craft beers. The average craft beer content is 5.9 percent, with some of them having a hefty percent of 8.0.
Because the law in Kansas will only allow for 6.0 percent beer or less, craft beer selection may be scarce at the grocery and convenience store locations.
Domestic beer, though, seems to have a much more popular vote from college students because of the price. Of course, not every college student drinks the same type of beer, but drinking for a fraction of the cost is always a plus to students when funds are tight.
The thought of competition between liquor stores and grocery/convenience store prices also will be a factor of where locals will chose to purchase beer. Some people will choose to continue purchases at liquor stores, or might even switch to picking up beer while grocery shopping or stopping by their nearest convenience store.
The new law also will allow for liquor stores to sell non-alcoholic items such as mixers, sodas, snacks and tobacco products.