Where alcohol goes, poor decision-making has long been known to follow. A whiplash only underscores that idea.
After four years of waiting, a powdered alcohol additive known as Palcohol was given by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau on April 8. Not two weeks later, however, bureau representative Tom Hogue that
Parent company Lipsmark quickly took to to explain the mixed feelings:听
There seemed to be a discrepancy on our fill level, how much powder is in the bag. There was a mutual agreement for us to surrender the labels.听This doesn’t mean that Palcohol isn’t approved. It just means that these labels aren’t approved. We will resubmit labels. We don’t have an expected approval date as label approval can vary widely.
If Palcohol’s labels are reapproved, consumers will be able to create alcoholic beverages “on the go” by adding a packet (or 12) of one of Palcohol’s six flavors鈥攊ncluding Mojito, Cosmopolitan, and Puerto Rican rum鈥攖o water.
Creator Matt Phillips says he got the idea to devise the more rebellious version of Crystal Light when he wanted to take alcoholic drinks along on trail rides or hikes but didn’t want to drag heavy bottles up mountains.
Adding to Palcohol’s drinking problems, news organizations on the product’s website. The initial product page seems to suggest increased alcohol consumption and recognizes the ability to “get drunk almost instantly” by snorting Palcohol, “because the alcohol will be absorbed so quickly in your nose.”
Palcohol has since distanced itself from the language, writing, “We were experimenting with some humorous and edgy verbiage about Palcohol. It was not meant to be our final presentation of Palcohol.” 听
听A blogger for Lehrman Beverage Law noted the hurdles of state law, market competition, and general health concerns that should give Palcohol a hard time actually reaching stores.
“I am not astonished that this is a real product,” the blogger wrote, “but I am absolutely astonished that this got approved.”
Don’t let the hooplah dampen your spirits. In the meantime, stick to traditionally brewed alcohols or consider branching out.