Norway had a really nasty alcoholism problem at the turn of the century, about where Russia is today. This was the solution, IIRC.
They tax the fool out of alcoholic beverages over there. It'll cost you about $8 for a beer, $4-6 is considered cheap beer.
Do you suppose, sir, that Norwegians try to evade the high liquor taxes by making their own? That was immensely popular in Ukraine in the villages--"summahon," brewed from anything that would ferment, including shaving cream, shoe-leather, old bread, potato peelings.
It should have read: "wine/liquor AND beer."
One group of alcoholic beverages can be legally sold in supermarkets in NY, while the other can not.
That is why-as in the case of this particular Scandinavian country-you have a problem of sales taxes being drained out of New York state and driven to Vermont through the independent decisions made by discerning liquor connoisseurs.
thats the price if you go out. Six pack of 4,5 % beer Tuborg cost 10 dollars