Boxes of alcohol stacked in the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division warehouse. (file photo)
Alcohol sales increased in the state for the fiscal year that ended June 30th. The Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division annual report says alcohol sales were up 3-percent to total around $263 million.
The sales were up $7.7 million compared to the previous year, but the overall growth in sales has leveled off. It’s the smallest dollar increase in liquor sales since 2010. The IABD sent more than $119 million to the state from sales revenue, taxes, fees and civil penalties.
Sales of spirits and beer increased, with more than 5 million gallons of spirits sold, and nearly 75,000 gallons of beer. Wine sales dropped slightly to around 4.4 million gallons. Micro distilleries saw a 24-percent increase in gallons sold, while the sale of native beer jumped by 82.3 percent.