ONLINE RETAILER BUSTED

Earlier this week two Iowa state college students obtained an illegal shipment of beer that was ordered online at Binny’s Beverage Depot. Unfortunately, the UPS delivery men did not check IDs before completing the delivery. So not only were the students underage, but it is currently illegal for out-of-state retailers to ship beer and wine directly to consumers in Iowa.

"[Binny's Beverage Depot] is not authorized to bring liquor into the state [of Iowa]," said Lynn Walding, the administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, to the Daily Iowan.

As a result, Binny’s license will either be fined, suspended or revoked. Meanwhile, UPS is considering dropping Binny’s contract, but maintains they are not responsible for enforcing the law.

The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) are taking action. They sent a press release today requesting that the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division further investigates and acts against the online retailer.

Said Craig Wolf (president and chief of WSWA) in a statement:

“Online retailers are playing fast and loose with alcohol laws—shipping beer, wine and liquor with no fear of being caught doing something illegal—including selling to kids.”

“I will be following up with Iowa ABC Administrator Lynn Walding to see that his division makes good on his promise to investigate and hold this company as accountable as a neighborhood retailer—and I will ask that he widen his investigation to include the other interstate retailers The Daily Iowan found were willing to ship to Iowa, including Texas retailer Specs Liquors, Berbiglia Wine and Spirits in Kansas, New York’s Grand Wine Cellar, Surdyks Liquor Store in Minnesota and the Jug Shop in San Francisco.”