West Virginia Senate votes to pop the cap on beer

West Virginia beer columnist and enthusiast has reason to celebrate
as he awaits Governor's signature on bill to allow beer above 6% to
be sold and responsibly enjoyed in the state

On Friday, April 10 the West Virginia Senate passed HB 2719 and what was called the “craft beer bill.”  The bill raises the allowable alcohol limit on beer from 6 percent to 12 percent (abv).  West Virginia beer columnist Rich Ireland writes “This is a big first step in opening up West Virginia to world class beer!  This started as a low-key grass roots effort and has failed in the past few years…”

In his blog column Ireland further writes, “Man! It’s been a long time coming; since1919 to be exact. West Virginia has finally (almost) popped the cap on its very outdated limitation of beer at 6% alcohol by volume. The Governor still has to sign the bill, but he has already said he would support modernization of the beer laws. So yes, West Virginia beer lovers, you can celebrate today if you want to.”  Read the entire article  

You can download the bill here.  Save and open with word software.

In part the amendment redefines “nonintoxicating beer” and defines “nonintoxicating craft beer” The distinction between beer and craft beer for some reason seemed necessary.  The terms used are also interesting.

Here excerpted are a few relevant parts of the bill:

AN ACT to amend and reenact §11 16 3 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to “nonintoxicating beer”; defining “nonintoxicating craft beer”; including “nonintoxicating craft beer with the definition of “nonintoxicating beer”; and increasing the maximum alcohol level in the stated definition of “nonintoxicating beer.”

"Nonintoxicating beer" means all cereal malt beverages or products of the brewing industry commonly referred to as beer, lager beer, ale and all other mixtures and preparations produced by the brewing industry, including malt coolers and nonintoxicating craft beers containing at least one half of one percent alcohol by volume, but not more than nine and six-tenths of alcohol by weight, or twelve percent by volume, whichever is greater, all of which are hereby declared to be nonintoxicating…

“Nonintoxicating craft beer” means any beverage obtained by the fermentation of barley, malt, hops or any other similar product or substitute and containing not less than one half of one percent by volume and not more than twelve percent alcohol by volume or nine and six tenths percent alcohol by weight.

The bottom line is that West Virginia beer drinkers will have the option of legally buying and enjoying stronger beers, most of them world class full flavored beers brewed by America’s small and independent brewers.

Bills to raise the alcohol limit in Montana, Iowa and Alabama have been introduced and are still in progress.