Cold Beer Banned in Attempt to Prevent Public Drinking

A Chicago suburb has banned the sale of some cold beer in order to address a local problem with public drinking, NBC News reported Oct. 24.

Arlington Heights, Ill., has banned the sale of cold single beers in cans (24 ounces or greater) and bottles (12 ounces or larger). Single cans can still be purchased warm, and cold multipacks of beer also are still for sale.

City officials had wanted to ban all sales of single containers in order to end the practice of drinking in public (with a cold beer typically concealed in a paper bag), but retailers objected.

The law goes into effect in January. “Don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work out to the hopes of the Police Department,” said Arlington Heights village trustee Joe Farwell. “The alcoholic isn’t going to sit there and say, ’Well, I like my beer cold.’”