OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – The Nebraska Supreme Court will decide whether so-called “alcopops” should be taxed as hard liquor. On Thursday, the state’s high court will hear the Nebraska Attorney General’s appeal of a Feb. 14 ruling by Lancaster County District Judge John Colborn. Colborn found that state law dictates drinks containing any distilled alcohol should be taxed as hard liquor.
The difference between beer and hard liquor tax rates is more than $3 a gallon, so the price of beverages such as Mike’s Hard Lemonade and Smirnoff Ice would likely increase if the ruling stands. Those brewed malt beverages – dubbed by some as “alcopops” because of the drinks’ sweet taste and pop-like packaging – are flavored with distilled spirits.
The drinks had been classified as beer by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.