A law that would expand the varieties of beer sold in North Carolina took a step forward this week when a state legistlative committee approved the proposal to raise the maximum alcohol content permitted in these beverages.
The House Commerce Committee voted 18-11 in favor of the measure which would allow beers above the current 6% alcohol limit to be brewed or sold commercially in the state. Beer affciandos and microbreweries statewide have lobbied the Legislature for the change.
North Carolina is one of six states that have an alcohol limit on beer as low as 6%. The current limit has been on the books since 1935.
The bill cleared the committee after panelists narrowly rejected an amendment that would have required a higher tax on beers with the higher alcohol content. Supporters of the amendment said the higher tax would have been more commensurate with taxes on wine and liquor. The bill now moves to the House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee.