INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 7 /EMWNews/ -- Hoosiers for Beverage Choices,

today announced the launch of http://www.beveragechoices.com , a new

website that gives visitors the ability to sign an online petition to

Indiana legislators in support of cold beer sales and Sunday sales of

alcoholic beverages in drug, grocery and convenience stores.



    The informative website provides information about Indiana's outdated

alcoholic beverage laws and updates on activities in other states as they

modernize their laws to reflect the needs of today's time-starved shopper.

Using the website, consumers will be able to communicate directly with

members of the General Assembly during the upcoming legislative session in

support of cold beer and Sunday sales.



    The statewide grassroots effort by Hoosiers for Beverage Choices (HBC),

supports the legislative efforts of retailers throughout the state who are

committed to repealing Indiana's outdated alcohol laws. Cold beer sales and

Sunday alcohol sales in drug, grocery and convenience stores will bring

convenience and price competition to the alcoholic beverage retail

marketplace.



    Another component of the retail legislative agenda is a proposal to

double permit fees for drug, grocery, convenience and liquor stores who

want to sell cold beer and sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Initial

estimates put additional revenue from such an increase at more than $2

million and HBC proposes this increased revenue be dedicated to provide

grant money for alcohol education and awareness programs.



    "The combined effort of Indiana's retail community and our customers

through the HBC website, http://www.beveragechoices.com , is a sensible

approach to modernize the state's alcoholic beverage laws," said Grant

Monahan, President of the Indiana Retail Council. "Sunday, the second

busiest shopping day of the week is important to shoppers while cold beer

sales in drug, grocery and convenience stores add competition to a retail

segment too long controlled by liquor store owners."



    Beveragechoices.com lists specific Indiana facts regarding the sale of

alcohol and points out that Indiana is the only state in the country that

discriminates against drug, grocery and convenience store customers by only

allowing one retail segment, package liquor stores, to sell cold beer.

Indiana is also one of only three states that prohibits retailers from

selling alcohol on Sundays, yet allows restaurants, taverns and numerous

sports and community events to sell alcohol by the drink on Sunday. Indiana

is one of only 15 states that still prohibit the carry-out sale of

alcoholic beverages on Sunday.



    "We are mindful of ways to make the shopping experience more convenient

for our customers," stated Monahan. "Beveragechoices.com empowers consumers

to have a voice in the debate to update Indiana's alcohol laws."



    Hoosiers for Beverage Choices believes that Indiana's alcohol laws need

to move into the 21st Century by promoting convenience, real choices, and

competitive prices, while maintaining regulations and laws that prevent

minors from purchasing alcohol. Hoosiers for Beverage Choices is comprised

of Indiana retailers and their customers and trade associations including

the Indiana Retail Council, The Indiana Petroleum Council and The Indiana

Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association.