To-Go Cocktail Sales Face a New Obstacle

To some experts, the report raises a lot of questions while ignoring obvious answers that already exist. “My general view is that it does not really produce any evidence that the recent push to allow to-go or delivery alcohol as a result of COVID-19 is causing widespread negative effects,” says Jarrett Dieterle, an attorney specializing in alcohol policy and regulatory affairs at R Street Institute, a public policy research organization.

“To the extent it does try to raise specific concerns, it suggests that counterfeit alcohol might be more widespread with alcohol delivery,” says Dieterle. “But how? Are they suggesting that delivery drivers might swap in counterfeit booze on the way to a customer’s door? Is there any evidence from anywhere in the U.S. that this has actually happened?

“The main other concern it pushes is the potential for more underage access to alcohol if alcohol delivery grows,” says Dieterlie. “But basic technology, such as ID scans, can help prevent this, and delivery companies are already adopting that technology. In some ways, this can be a more rigorous ID verification process than takes place at the local gas station or convenience store, where oftentimes store clerks don’t even ask customers to check their ID.”