Although similar legislation failed a year ago, current efforts to increase the alcohol content of both beer and wine available in Alabama have moved closer to reality following action by committees in the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives.
The House Tourism and Travel Committee voted Feb. 18 to approve House Bill (HB) 373, sponsored by Rep. Thomas Jackson, D-Thomasville, which would further define the term “beer” for Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board licensing purposes to include malt beverages with alcohol content up to 13.9 percent by volume. Current law limits alcohol content of beer or malt or brewed beverages to 6 percent.
The bill currently awaits action by the full House.
The Senate version of the bill, Senate Bill (SB) 132, passed out of the Senate’s Tourism and Marketing Committee on Feb. 11 and awaits action by the full Senate.
Sen. Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, sponsor of SB 132, said the legislation would allow the sale of specialty and gourmet beers manufactured domestically and internationally in Alabama.
But Sen. Hank Erwin, R-Montevallo, said this legislation is dangerous. “If you drink three of these higher content beverages, it will really be dangerous.”
Erwin predicted teens would use the higher alcohol content to become intoxicated quicker.
“We have a binge drinking epidemic in America with kids drinking and ruining their lives,” he said. “And this is a poor excuse to say adults have rights when we ought to be exercising restraint. That is especially one we will have to go to war over.”
Other alcohol-related legislation — HB 448, sponsored by Rep. Greg Canfield, R-Vestavia Hills, and SB 263, sponsored by Sen. Steve French, R-Mountain Brook — would increase alcohol percentage in table wines from 14.9 percent to 16.5 percent.
Canfield said his legislation also would allow the purchase of specialty wines at restaurants, retail outlets and ABC stores.
“The request on the amount of alcohol content is relatively modest because it allows for the sale of wines currently not available in Alabama,” Canfield said.
Both bills have passed out of committee and await action in their respective houses.
Stuart Carter, president of Free the Hops/Alabamians for Specialty Beer — a nonprofit organization dedicated “to help(ing) bring the highest quality beers in the world to Alabama” — said legislation allowing the sale of beer with higher alcohol content would broaden the scope of beers available in the state.
“In essence, we’re asking that Alabama be allowed to appreciate the best beers the United States has to offer, those which are legal — and often brewed — in nearby states, such as Georgia,” he said.
But Alabama Citizens Action Program Executive Director Joe Godfrey opposes the more potent beer. Among his concerns are problems associated with alcohol consumption, such as teen drinking, drunk driving and domestic violence.
“We limit the supply of drugs,” he said. “Why would we not be able to limit the supply of alcohol because alcohol is a drug?”
The Legislature also took action on other bills related to expansion of the sale of alcohol and treatment of individuals convicted of offenses committed while under its influence:
► HB 291, sponsored by Rep. Steve Hurst, D-Munford, passed the House on Feb. 19 and is now moving through the Senate. Under existing law, the driver’s license of an individual convicted of an alcohol- or drug-related offense is required to be suspended for six months by the Department of Public Safety. This legislation would allow the time a person is in an inpatient drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility — whether treatment is voluntary or court-ordered — to go toward satisfying that time of suspension.
► HB 175, sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Martin, D-Clanton, awaits action by the House. This bill would allow municipalities that have a population of 500 or more and are located in “dry” counties to hold a wet/dry referendum. Godfrey said a municipal population of 7,000 or more is currently required for such an option.
► SB 158 — which also promotes stronger alcohol content in beer and is sponsored by Singleton — would allow fortified wine to be sold by any ABC licensee. It is awaiting consideration by the Senate.
A series of other bills — which would allow “dry” municipalities to go “wet” and mandate punishment for offenses committed as a result of alcohol consumption — have not yet been considered by committees in their respective houses of origin.
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