I know this is no big thing for many of you who live in states that have laws that have moved out of the 50’s and 60’s, but our llimit on alcohol in Beer of 6% has been in place forever.
For a number of years there has been a grass roots movement called “Free the Hops” that has pushed for legislation to remove that cap as it severely limits the selection of beers we have in the state. The movement got a law before the State Congess and it passed after years of lobbying efforts, fundraisers, and community meetings. There was still fear that our conservative governor would veto it. He had done so on a bill allowing Sunday sales of alcohol in one county (based on old church-y laws that have been around forever as well).
The Governor signed it into law today and I am so pleased with the citizenry and the fact that folks were able to get something changed (in a state that is often a decade or more behind on some things) that I could almost cry.
When the alcohol cap was raised here, it was a damn revelation as far as beer selection goes. I don’t think I’ve had a beer in the last month that I could have legally bought in NC a few years ago.
The great thing is that our 2nd annual Brewfest, which benefits the organization that got it passed is in 2 weeks. That bitch is going to be rupturing at its seams. Fistfulls of shotglasses of beers will be consumed and toasts will be made and we will all sing songs from Godspell or something.
Newspaper said today it may be up to a week. I imagine folks were hesitant to order a bunch of beer when the whole thing could have gone in the crapper with a Veto.
Ha ha, you live in backwards-land! We’ve been able to buy beer and wine on Sundays for almost six months here (although if you want spirits, you still gotta wait until Monday).
Our Sunday sales ban was a county ordinance – you could always take a 15 minute drive south to the next county if you were desperate for beer, as the rest of Michigan is much saner.
Could be worse, though – the next town over is still dry (er, almost; it was huge local news when they made a controversial vote a couple years ago allowing restaurants to serve alcohol. Thus far, one pizza place has Budweiser on tap, that’s about it).