Brewing major Anheuser-Busch has withdrawn its membership from Beer Distributors of Oklahoma (BDO), a state organization for licensed independent beer distributors in Oklahoma, US, due to concerns over Oklahoma’s beer laws.
BDO president Brett Robinson said: "While the Beer Distributors of Oklahoma (BDO) regrets AnheuserBusch's withdrawal from our association, this move comes as no surprise, and it is unfortunate Anheuser-Busch will not continue to support Oklahoma independent beer distributors as they have since 1938.
"With the recent losses of the Monster and Constellation brands, the two Anheuser-Busch owned distributorships in Oklahoma City and Tulsa have been losing market share and struggling to execute in the marketplace while at the same time trying to control costs through reductions in Oklahoma jobs.
"The BDO and its independent distributors, including independent Anheuser-Busch distributors, will continue to work with all stakeholders, including our suppliers, large and small, to strengthen beer laws and bring real reform to Oklahoma's beer industry."
Without specifying the details of dispute with the distributors group, Anheuser-Busch of Oklahoma sales and marketing senior director Eric James said that the company expects a reform from the state laws to allow it to sell refrigerated, strong beer.
James was quoted by NewsOK as saying: "Our view of modernization is to allow for cold, full-strength beer across the state.
"We feel it gives retailers the best opportunity to satisfy their customers' needs and allows wholesalers to expand their products."
