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Waiting to imbibe in Alabama
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A long row of taps adorns the new front bar at the J. Clyde, my favorite Birmingham watering hole. The taps feature logos from the best breweries around the world. Many of these beers are illegal to sell in Alabama because they have a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage than state law allows. The current cap is 6 percent ABV, which excludes 98 percent of the world’s best beers and explains why most of these taps remain unused.
The ABV cap affects not only imported beer, but keeps many domestic microbrews out of our stores and bars. Birmingham’s own Good People Brewing Company at Five Points is limited in what styles they can brew due to the six percent limit. The times may be a-changing though. Thanks to the efforts of the folks at Free the Hops, who have been educating Alabamians on the virtues of craft beer since 2004, Alabama is closer now to allowing adults freedom to choose their beverage of choice than at any time since the end of Prohibition. Since 2007, Free the Hops has worked with State Representative Thomas Jackson to introduce the Gourmet Beer Bill to raise the limit from 6 percent to 13.9 percent ABV, which would allow most, but not all, of the world’s best beers to be sold and enjoyed in Alabama. After meeting with little progress in the House in 2007 and the Senate in 2008 (after passing the House that year), the Bill passed both houses this year and only needs Governor Riley’s signature to become law. Governor Riley has until Monday to sign the bill, so if you care about good beer and personal freedom, politely let him know: (334) 242-7100.
Not only would raising the limit allow Alabamians to enjoy gourmet brews, it would help local businesses that would like to sell or serve high-gravity craft beers. Such a move would also help promote tourism and enable the Magic City Brewfest and other beer festivals around the state to compete on the world stage.
Many breweries are already working on getting high-quality brews in stores and bars around the state in anticipation of the bill’s passage. Good People has plans to brew the state’s first Double IPA and Russian Imperial Stout. Should Governor Riley sign this bill into law, you’ll find me at the J. Clyde in front of that long row of taps savoring the delicious taste of freedom.
