Proposal Would Allow Higher Alcohol Content In Beer
June 1, 2011
by Tom Brockman/NBC4i.com Columbus Ohio
COLUMBUS, Ohio --br />Your brew soon could pack a more powerful punch.
In their recent state budget proposal, state Senate Republicans proposed raising the maximum alcohol content allowed in beer from 12 to 18 percent.
It happened days after Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine applauded Anheuser-Busch for lowering the alcohol content in one of its drinks, Tilt, from 12 percent to no more than 8 percent.
At the Downtown Barley's Brewing Company, beer is brewed just feet from where it is served -- 62,000 gallons of it annually.
Not a drop of it is above 12 percent alcohol. That’s the limit by law - for now.
Barley's co-owner Lenny Kolada says he hopes the proposal to raise the rate to 18 percent becomes law.
"My first thought was, 'Great,' " says Kolada. "Despite what a lot of people think, us craft brewers are not always all about higher alcohol levels, but what we are about is exploration, adventure, and trying something different."
State Senator Jimmy Stewart (R-Albany) proposed the rate change after touring a brewery in Athens.
"If it's good for the small, local, craft brewers in the state of Ohio, then I think it's good for the state," he says. "Compared to other states, it's still pretty conservative to even be at 18 percent when so many states in our region don't even have a limit."
But not everyone is thrilled with the idea of allowing brewers to put more alcohol in their beer.
"We're concerned about underage drinking, and youth are attracted to beer. That's oftentimes the first alcoholic beverage they consume, says Executive Director of the Drug-Free Action Alliance Patricia Harmon.
"We're also concerned about adults who are of drinking age drinking responsibly."
Stewart, though, says a beer of such high alcohol content appeals to only a small, niche market.
"Let’s not forget: We sell distilled spirits in the state of Ohio that are over 150 proof alcohol. So selling 16 or 18 percent beer is hardly forging any new ground," Stewart says.
"We will not come out right away and have all our beers be up at 18 percent. That's not what we're all about," says Kolada. :Most of our beers that we brew today are in the 4 to 6 percent range. Some of them extend into 8. So we certainly don't push the limit with all of our styles, just when it's warranted.”
NBC4 contacted Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office Wednesday afternoon, but we have not received a comment yet.
Courtesy NBC4i.com Columbus Ohio
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