Bill could boost alcohol in beer
Mississippi Sen. David Baria, who represents District 46 in the state senate, said if passed, the new law would mean “more variety for beer consumers, many of whom are USM students.”
Currently in Mississippi, the law caps the alcohol content in beer sold in the state at 5 percent by weight or 6.2 percent by volume. If passed, Senate Bill 2017, would change the state limit of alcohol in beer to as much as 17 percent by weight, which would significantly increase the amount of alcohol in each bottle of beer.
Butch Bailey, an official with Mississippians for Economic and Beverage Advancement, is trying to push the bill to passage any way he can, including creating a Facebook group to provide information for those interested in joining the cause.
Bailey said the current law means “Mississippians are denied access to over 80 percent of the top-rated beers in the world, including hand-crafted ales brewed by Belgian monks and sophisticated beverages made by small businesses right here in America.”
Changing the law to allow a higher alcohol content for beer would also give stores more options when stocking their coolers, he said.
Student Printz
1/23/9
Magnolia Tribune
