State by State Analysis of Alcopops Law

Alcopops are sweet, bubbly drinks, a marketer's dream for getting youth hooked on alcohol. To make matters worse, alcopops manufacturers aren't even being honest about how their products are made. Although industry claims alcopops are "flavored beers," the products don't taste or look like beer. Unfortunately, in many states, alcopops are being sold as beer, making them cheap and more available than if the products were properly classified as distilled spirits. Indeed, in many states, alcopops should be taxed and sold as spirits (at much higher rates) because they do in fact contain spirits. Over the past several years, Marin Institute has been leading a fight with the makers of alcopops in states all over the country to increase the taxes on these harmful products and help get them out of the reach of young people. This map depicts the current status of alcopops law state by state. Click on an icon in the map's legend to learn more about what is happening in your state
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States Where Alcopops Are Properly Classified as Distilled Spirits

States Where Alcopops Should Be Classified as Distilled Spirits Under the Law

States Where Industry Had Laws Changed to Undermine Public Health

States Where Alcopops Classification Is too Vague to Determine