HUNTSVILLE—
Alabama has a new law allowing stronger beer to be sold in the state. Governor Bob Riley signed legislation today that immediately raises the alcohol limit on beer from 6% to 13.9%. Until today, Alabama had the nation's lowest alcohol limit on beer. The new law allows specialty and imported beers to be purchased in the state.The state legislature approved the higher limit last week. The governor put it into law today.
Liz Rodriguez hangs out at a bar called the Nook quite often. She's feels good about the change.
"I think it will be nice to have different kinds of beer come in with higher alcohol content levels. It's good to have different kinds to try," said Liz Rodriguez.
Alabama had the nation's lowest alcohol limit on beer which was 6%. The new law allows the content level to reach 13.9%. The higher percentage allows consumers to buy specialty and imported beers in the state.
The beer bill was pushed by a grassroots group called "Free the Hops."
Daniel Roberts is one of the group's members in Huntsville. He admits the bill's passage was a little surprising.
"We knew it was going to happen. We kind of expected it to happen. It was kind of like a big reaction as in wow, the five years we put into it, actually did pay off," said Daniel Roberts.
A sergeant with the Huntsville Police Department's DUI task force says those who prefer the gourmet beers over the regular beers should know what to expect.
"With the higher alcohol content, almost twice the old level of alcohol in those beverages, they're going to get drunk twice as fast," said Sergeant Floyd Smith."
Connell Allen owns the Nook. He doesn't think too many people will get drunk from drinking the gourmet beers.
"They're just not going to get drink as many. It's not because of the alcohol, but because the gourmet beers are heavily-bodied beers," said Connell Allen.
Governor Riley's signature on the beer bill came one week after he signed legislation allowing the sale of stronger table wine in Alabama.
