Alabama State Sen. seeks to outlaw beer kegs.

[Wolfman]

(The following article reproduced was circulated in Fraternity circles.)


Long considered a requirement at college social functions,the beer keg may be soon going the way of the dodo, if state Sen. Bobby Singleton has anything to do with it

Singleton,D-Greensboro, who admitted to enjoying his share of keg beer at fraternity functions when he was at Alabama State[Univ.],has sponsored a bill in the Alabama Legislature that will outlaw retail sales of the high-volume beer barrels. Singleton said he's become one of Montgomery's most-called lawmakers since introducing the bill in the state Senate last week. The Senate passed the bill 30-0. "I probably got the first 10 calls from my fraternity brothers," the 1984 Alabama State graduate,a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, said."They weren't real happy, but this is about looking at the big picture,what's responsible and what's the right thing to do." Singleton said he sponsored the bill after being approached by members of the wine and beer industry and local law enforcement in his district,which includes Demopolis.

"I got calls from sheriffs who talked about arresting teenagers for drunk driving,and breaking up big parties in the middle of fields,where they found kegs that all the kids were drinking from." he said."These kids would have someone of age buy the keg,then come back and sell it by the cup." Legal drinkers statewide might have a problem with the limitation on their drinking habits,Singleton admitted, but the risk paled in comparison with protecting young people's lives."If these things are making it easier for young (Alabamians)to drink,then we need to stop the sale of kegs," he said. "It may not totally stop them(from drinking),but at least it will make it more difficult and expensive." Singleton said his bill--overwhelmingly approved by the the Senate--just received its first reading in the House of Representatives.

"Que Psi Phi 'til the day I die!"