Beer enthusiasts are toasting the Alabama Legislature for passing a bill that they hope will lead to a resurgence of brew pubs and the opening of more breweries.
The Senate voted 19-6 Wednesday to go along with changes the House made Tuesday night in a bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Bill Holtzclaw of Madison. If it is signed by the governor, it will allow brew pubs to sell their beers through other locations and allow breweries to serve their products at their plants.
"It's the biggest change in Alabama brewing laws since the repeal of prohibition," said Gabe Harris, president of Free the Hops. The grassroots group of beer enthusiasts has been pushing for several years to change Alabama's beer laws.
Holtzclaw said he expects the bill to result in more brew pubs and breweries because it will create new revenue streams to help ensure their profitability. "I view this as an economic development bill," he said.
Free the Hops vice president Stuart Carter said he foresees the day when Alabama will have enough of the businesses that state tourism officials will want to print a tourism brochure for driving tours like they do for music attractions, civil rights landmarks, top restaurants and other tourist attractions.
