Free the Hops

Ok, so we're not beer drinkers....we're really not alcohol consumers either, so this probably doesn't affect us that much. It's just interesting.

Free the Hops is an organization that is pushing for to help bring quality beers, from around the country and parts of the world, to Alabama. Some actually refer to them as specialty or gourmet beers.

The current problem with getting these beers here into Alabama, is their restriction of the alcohol by volume (abv) law.

The Current ABV Law
The 6% limit appears once in The Code of Alabama, in §28-3-1(3), addressing the regulation of alcoholic beverages. That section contains the following definition:
"BEER, or MALT OR BREWED BEVERAGES. Any beer, lager beer, ale, porter, malt or brewed beverage, or similar fermented malt liquor containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume and not in excess of five percent alcohol by weight and six percent by volume, by whatever name the same may be called."

The Gourmet Beer Bill
For the 2008 Legistative Session, FTH has proposed the following Gourmet Beer Bill which would change the limit on beer to just below that of table wine.
"BEER, or MALT OR BREWED BEVERAGES. Any beer, lager beer, ale, porter, malt or brewed beverage, or similar fermented malt liquor containing one-half of one percent or more of alcohol by volume and not in excess of five percent alcohol by weight and six thirteen and nine-tenths percent by volume, by whatever name the same may be called."

Now, the best part is the video below that actually has some information regarding the bill while in the House. Several of our wonderful representatives made their points and comments regarding the passing/declining of this bill. If you have a moment, listen and see what our great leaders think. (I really like Alvin Holmes from Montgomery)



Whether or not the bill passes, I seriously doubt it will have a direct impact on us. I just think it's interesting and can have the potential of increasing the beer isle in your nearest grocery store. If passed it could also allow for more opportunites for current and upcoming breweries. Either way, the points for and against are both interesting.