The article fails to mention the favorable tax status of malt liquors over distilled products. That’s why companies try over and over to push this stuff.
Here in Texas malt beverages beer and wine can be bought at 7_11 or Wal-Mart. Where as hard spirits and real hard sodas with distilled alcohol in them must be sold at a package store. Wal-Mart will see malt, beer, and wine 0700 till 2400 Monday through Friday 0700 till 0100 Saturday and 1200 to 2400 Sundays. Package stores are only open Monday through Saturday 0700 to 2100 and never on holidays. This skews the availability in favor of malt,beer and wine.