Beer sales debut at Carter-Finley Stadium
Tailgates in the parking lot aren’t the only place to get beer around Carter-Finley Stadium anymore.
Thanks to a new law passed by the state legislature this summer, beer sales are now allowed at college stadiums around North Carolina. And the adult beverages officially began flowing for the first time at Carter-Finley Stadium during the Wolfpack’s season opening game against East Carolina.
Beer stands were set up under tents in each of the four corners of the stadium’s concourse and from the lines that were constant throughout the 90-degree afternoon, they were popular among the Wolfpack faithful.
“I’ve been coming here since 1978 and it’s awesome,” said Danny Wells, a State fan from Raleigh after buying a signature Old Tuffy Lager. “What can you say, Old Tuffy? That’s what I am, an old Tuffy.”
In addition to Old Tuffy, which is produced New Belgium Brewery, the other bottled offerings include Cloud Surfer, an IPA produced by Raleigh’s Trophy Brewing Co., and traditional brands Miller Lite and Coors Light, as well as Truly hard seltzer.
The mass produced beers go for $8 per tallboy can while the craft brews go for $9 a pop.
As much as the new additions to the concession menu will serve to enhance the game experience for most fans in the stands, the possibility of overindulgence always exists.
Chief Jack Moorman of the NC State University Police Department said before the game that he wasn’t anticipating any unusual problems, considering that alcohol use has always been prevalent even when it wasn’t sold in the stadium.
But just in case, his department and the Wake County Sheriff’s Department both increased security presence just in case.
“Certainly with the beer points of sale, that’s another location where you have a lot of people and money changing hands, so we do have additional personnel there,” Moorman said. “We always keep a good presence throughout the stadium to look for violations.”
Beer sales are limited to one can per customer per trip and are cut off at the end of the third quarter.
“Because the sale of beer is very regulated and controlled, we don’t anticipate any more problems than usual associated with it,” Moorman said. “There are measures in place to prevent sales from anyone who’s intoxicated. Nothing is more important to us on game day than the safety of our fans.”
On the positive side, it was hoped that the sale of beer inside the stadium might stop -- or at least slow -- the flow of fans getting pass outs and leaving at halftime for their tailgates, never to return.
But that didn’t happen Saturday.
In an all-too-familiar sight, the stands, especially those in the student section, emptied out considerably in the second half as State coasted to a 34-6 victory. It was a situation noted by coach Dave Doeren in his postgame remarks.
"We need you for four quarters," he said speaking directly to those who were among the announced crowd of 57,633. "I know it's ho. I get all that. Please just continue to do all you can to be back in there for us in the third quarter. We love you if you can be. It means a lot to these kids."
