Beginning Today, Mail-in Discounts Allowed For Beer, Wine, And Cider Manufacturers

Opponents of the coupons say it’s just going to make purchasing alcohol more attractive to problem drinkers.

Photo courtesy: schmitzeconomart.com

(SALEM) - Beginning Wednesday, Oregon grocery shoppers may be seeing mail-in discount coupons attached to six-packs of beer or wine bottles, under an Oregon Liquor Control Commission rule amendment.

The change to OAR 845-007-0015 overturns a prohibition on cents-off rebate coupons for malt beverages, wine and cider. It was petitioned by the beer and wine industry following a February 2006 rule (OAR 845-015-0165) amendment allowing distilled spirits manufacturers to offer money-back-by-mail coupons for discounts that increase as more alcohol is purchased. “Beer, wine and cider manufacturers have been allowed to offer cross-promotional coupons (for food, non-alcoholic beverages) under this rule for some time, but haven’t been allowed to offer mail-in, money off coupons for their products,” said Katie Hilton, OLCC rules coordinator.

The agency received petitions from Anheuser-Bush Brewing Co. and the Oregon Beer and Wine Distributors Assn.

Bill Linden, representing Anheuser-Busch, said the beer and wine industry sought the rule change in a competitive move to “level the playing field with the rule on hard liquor coupons.”