"While I am still, and will remain, a practicing Christian, the Hops ought to be free." Demetrius Newton (D) Birmingham, AL
Free The Hops, founded in 2003 by three thirsty Alabamians fed up with the inability to purchase "Gourmet Beer" within the borders of their own state and counties, achieved state recognition by the introduction of HB 196 on March 4, 2008 which would allow such beverages to be sold statewide. Included below is a recording of the House of Representative's session on the bill that was posted on YouTube and mentioned to me by Bill Barton of the Philadelphia Brewing Company. I checked it out and it got me thinking about beer.
Let's talk about American Beer for a moment. Before 1840, America produced many styles of ales, beers, and porters, (which are very close to Lagers in that they are both brewed in cooler temperatures) but no Lager until Johan Wagner immigrated from Bavaria to Philadelphia with a package of Lager yeast in his luggage and began making his Old Country brew here in the New World. Fast foreward a ninety five years to 1935; the American Can Company and the Kruger Brewing Company team up to give the United States its first can of beer. During the previous near-century, American Lager had transformed from a 100% Barley Malt to a mixture of more abundant Continental grains such as Corn and Rice, bringing Lager from its dark past into a much lighter future. This is "beer we got." There are two kinds; Beer, and Light Beer.
The current rennaisance of micro and home breweries coupled with the affluence of our current society has brought beer production and selection in this country back to its Pre-Prohibition level. All this being true, it's still against the law to purchase any beer above 6% ABV in the State of Alabama. This law keeps any beer besides that produced by Anheiser Busch and Adolf Coors from being sold accross any counter in the State; effectively denying a market to any Craft Beer or Barley Wine. Anybody hear "Monopoly?" Alabama, you have the support of the Beer Drinkers Union in your endeavor. Let's get those Hops out of captivity.
