Keg registration plan approved in New York - Brief Article
Modern Brewery Age,  June 9, 2003  
AP--New York State Legislators and beer sellers said Wednesday they have agreed to a registration system for kegs sold in New York.

Under the proposal, buyers of kegs would have to put down a $75 deposit and provide identification. Retailers could only legally sell kegs with a traceable identification number--either etched into the barrel or on a tag purchased from the State Liquor Authority-- and they must keep a log of people buying each keg.

The idea is to prompt retailers to sell kegs only to qualified buyers and provide law enforcement agencis with a way of tracking down buyers of a keg if its beer is consumed by underage drinkers, legislative sponsors said.

Among the groups negotiating with lawmakers over the bill were the state Beer Wholesalers Association and the state Food Industry Alliance.

"This sends a clear message to those under 21 that the beer industry doesn't want your business," said Michael Vacek, a representative of the beer wholesalers' group.

He said the measure would create a "trail of responsibility" in cases of illegal buying or drinking of beer.

A keg bought by consumers usually contains 15.5 gallons of beer and sells for between $50 and $75. Retailers typically ask for deposits of $10, Vacek said.

Not all retailers demand identification from purchasers, Brodsky said.

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there may be a legitimate reason for a sudden increase in sales: a competitor may have gone out of business, or closed its local store, shifting it's customers, and their prescriptions, elsewhere.

last time i checked, the beer distributors don't have this issue. they don't need a license from the DEA either.