Feds Approve Powdered Alcohol

March 16, 2015 — The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has approved the production and sale of powdered alcohol.  The approval was actually given last April but withdrawn because of issues with the labeling.  It caused a lot of angst then and even more now.  We wrote about it and you can see our story here.

Called Palcohol, the powder, which is one serving, comes in a 6” x 4” pouch and mixing with water activates it.  The creator, Mark Phillips, said the idea came to him when he wanted a cocktail while hiking or after other outdoor activity and he didn’t want to lug around a heavy bottle.  In a video, Phillips shows how the pouch itself becomes the serving container.  Just add about five or six ounces of water, reseal the pouch and shake for about 30 seconds.  The pouch has a gusset at the bottom to allow it to stand up and if you don’t drink the whole cocktail, it can be resealed for later.

So far four flavors have been approved – cosmopolitan, margarita, vodka and rum.  A lemon drop flavor is expected to be approved shortly.  There is currently no information available on pricing or
distribution.

The uproar over Palcohol focuses on its availability to minors.  Since licensed retailers of liquid alcohol will sell it, minors will have to resort to whatever stealth tactics they are using now to get hold of beer, wine or spirits.  Some states are already considering a ban.  Remember Prohibition?  That worked well, didn’t it.

In Colorado, lawmakers have moved to halt its sale.  How ironic.  The same lawmakers approved legalizing marijuana.

Lawmakers aren’t the only ones giving Palcohol the gimlet eye.  Distillers are not thrilled at all since it will cut into their revenue.  Here’s a marketing tip for Mr. Phillips:  create a gimlet drink then send it to all the naysayers.  They won’t get the joke but he can have some fun!

Powdered alcohol has other uses.  It will come in two formulas, one for consumption as a cocktail and one for industrial use in all manner of applications from antiseptics to windshield washing fluid to fuel. We’re neither for it nor against it but we do object to lawmakers who think their job is to regulate our lives.  Hey, we’re grown ups, guys.  We can figure it out.  Before you get yourself all worked up, take a look at Mark Phillips video on YouTube

You still might be in favor of a ban, but at least you’ll be making an informed decision.