Iowa state officials think changes in where hard liquor can be sold and new flavored drinks popular with women and young people are behind a jump in sales.
The Gazette in Cedar Rapids reports a 6.4 percent increase in sales of hard liquor in the fiscal year ending June 30th. Alcoholic Beverages Division officials say some of that increase is due to new flavors of liquor that appeal to young people and women.
A change in state law also factored into the increase. Convenience stores no longer must segregate liquor in separate areas or sell items at separate registers.
In the last fiscal year, Iowans age 21 and older drank an average of 35.6 gallons of beer, 2.23 gallons of spirits and 1.9 gallons of wine.
