Ohio dropping 12% law

If you want a shitstorm, go check the Infected Bourbon County or Dark Lord Day threads! We're on the start of page 2 here, this is nothin'.

 

@SeanBond, honestly, thanks for stopping by and showing your support for Ohio dropping the 12% limit. While I drink lots of Ohio beer, I am also excited about the new out-of-state 12%+ beers that may be making their way into Ohio. Cheers!

 

A stupid law is a stupid law. It doesn't mean said law being abolished will benefit me. I hate nanny state politics. That is all...

 

This reminds me of how excited I was when they finally raised the speed limit on i75 to 70 mph...then began construction for the next decade.

 

Do anyone know why the 12% cap was there in the first place?

 

Because beer is for poor, working folks and they need to be kept from getting absolutely shitfaced off of beer, while those who drink 12%+ wine are sophisticated elites who would never do any such thing, ever? :shrug:

Edit: Total snark/sarcasm, in case you didn't pick it up

 

It used to be 6%. Changed in 2002.

 

My understanding has always been that it orginally boiled down to big brother "looking out" for you. It's no secret that big beer lobbyists have campaigned to keep the cap low, since less variety helps limit their competition. The latest battle cry from the MillerCoors opposition is basically that people are too stupid to be allowed the option of beer over 12%:

"MillerCoors respectfully opposes increasing the state’s ABV. As the “beverage of moderation,” beer has long been enjoyed by customers within Ohio’s current 12% ABV limitation. We see no compelling reason this should change. The increase could confuse consumers, who have a settled expectation of the beer’s taste profile and alcohol content. Raising the ABV could blur the lines between beer and other alcohol beverages, such as wine and spirits. We urge the legislature to take these impacts into consideration as it considers HB 68."

I think everyone here is in agreement that archaic arbitrary laws should be done away with. For those adamantly pointing out that it won't be a life-changing event when this bill is passed, you are correct. There's no shortage of great beer under 12%. However, this could have a real, tangible impact for the state moving forward. Who knows how close Stone was to actually choosing Columbus for expansion, but there's no doubt the 12% cap played at least some small part in their decision.

 

I couldn't even imagine going to the store and having to pick between a selection of 6% and under. Session IPA's seem to have just recently become more popular so what in the world could you even buy other than lagers and pilsners?

 

I think that's what many of us have been saying. It'll be nice to have access to some out-of-state >12% beers, and I don't want to it to seem like I'm not grateful about that, but I'm much, much more excited about what this does for 1) our in-state brewers and 2) attracting more craft brewing business to the state.

 

We'd be slugging back those Loons

 

What a tragedy.

 

FTFY

 

2011 is the last time I found a shelf of loons in Ohio. Stupid me thought it was going to be a regular thing since drie fonteinen was heavily saturated as well...I still remember this bottle of iris that just say in the same shop for three years with so much dust caked on the side

 

I found some in 2013 at Beverage Source. Had a case of Rose De Gambrinus sitting on the shelf. People didn't know about how good Beverage Source is. Still don't, last I knew.

 

I moved here in 2004, so I missed that era. I had been living in North Carolina, which had a 6% cap at that time. Yeah, it sucked. It's no coincidence that the craft brewing industry in both states has exploded since each state got rid of the 6% limit. Ohio had a tiny number of craft breweries in 2002.

 

Bill passed the house today overwhelmingly I've heard.

 

watched vote online. Passed 79-7.. !!

 

Anyone anticipate any concerns from out of state breweries with the "high alcohol beer" labeling requirement? Could cause some TTB headaches. Or would an auxiliary label applied by the distributor/retailer suffice?

 

Resident old dude here.
Most people didn't know there was such a thing as beer above 6%. We were blissfully ignorant, and quite frankly there were very few beers above that thresh hold at the time.

IPA's were nearly nonexistent. Pale Ales, Porters, Amber Ales and Stouts were the mainstays