State Senate Passes Bill to Raise ABW - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

State Senate passes bill to raise ABW

The fight to end the prohibition of higher gravity beers in Mississippi took another step closer to victory Monday.

For nearly 50 years, beer sold in the Magnolia State has had a five-percent alcohol content.

Monday afternoon, State Senators passed Bill #2878 which would raise the A.B.W. to eight percent.

The House passed a similar bill earlier this month.

Advocates say the change will benefit people who enjoy artisan beer and also help raise tax revenue without raising taxes.

"But that 3 percent increase will give us 60% more of the top 100 beers in the world when they make them legal in Mississippi," said Raise Your Pints President, Butch Bailey.

"There are so many great beers out there that we just can't get anywhere in the state of Mississippi, but we can get them in Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee. We can get them in all our neighbors but we can't get them here. If we get more choices that just means more sales and more taxes going to the state, and you know, just better beer, said Chef Tom Ramsey with Underground 119.

Monday night, at Underground 119 in Jackson, a fundraiser was held for "Raise Your Pints."

The local grass roots non-profit organization works to promote and enhance the craft beer culture in the Magnolia State.

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