When is it too early to sell beer? According to the Buffalo Bills, the preferred line of demarcation comes at 10:59 a.m. ET.
Via WGRZ-TV, the Bills actively are seeking an adjustment in a law that allows them to sell beer at Ralph Wilson no earlier than noon on days when the game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET. The Bills want to be able to start selling suds at 11:00 a.m. ET.
As a practical matter, it makes sense to attract folks from the parking lot to the stadium. If they can drink beer while tailgating but they can’t drink it on the inside until noon, why go in before noon?
Once they’re inside, then they can spend money on all sorts of other stuff, too.
The challenge for the Bills and every other team remains policing beer sales so that people aren’t leaving the venue: (1) intoxicated; and (2) driving. The increased awareness and enforcement of DUI laws has gone a long way toward addressing the problem, but more can be done.
Extending by 60 minutes the window for buying alcohol at a football game probably isn’t on the list of potential solutions.