Came across this article in the Los Angeles Times that depicts the legal restrictions placed on better beer consumers in the state of Alabama and their efforts to circumvent antiquated laws. In honor of the on-going plight of fellow beer consumers in the Southeast, a region that has seen craft beer sales rise 31.6% since last year, I figure it’s worthy to shed some light on their struggles to pop the alcohol cap and homebrew in peace.
A while back, I mentioned the consumer group Free the Hops‘ boycott against Anheuser-Busch in the very same state. With support from BeerAdvocate, and now a major US newspaper bringing some national media attention to the situation, it may put lawmakers in several states in the hot seat.
Of course, you’ll get neo-Prohibitionist responses like this one from state Representative DuWayne Bridges:
“We’re losing too many kids now on the road because of drinking and driving. Why
aggravate that?”
But my answer to that would be to teach responsible drinking by de-mystifying alcohol in general. Show younger drinkers that alcohol is to be savored and respected, and work toward eliminating binge culture at 21 or earlier; you don’t have to go out and get sloshed right away. Sure, there’ll always be a segment of the population that will abuse alcohol, and kids will always want to “test the limits”, if you will. But by introducing alcohol earlier on and showing that there’s an appreciation aspect to fine wine, spirits, and yes, beer, maybe this kind of behavior can be tempered.
That being said, I often have little faith people’s ability to control themselves, and am most certainly not on any high horse myself. Still, a little education can go a long way, in my opinion. Good luck to Alabamans and their efforts to get better beer into their state.
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March 16, 2008 at 8:55 am
Matt
I agree with you Eric about education. I grew up in a house where if I wanted a beer I could have one, but I had to drink it at home with my parents and if I ever did other wise while living under their roof there would be consequences.
When I went to college I enjoyed drinking beer like the rest of young people, but I saw the people that were sheltered away from alcohol just go nuts with it and that lead to many bad situations that could have been avoided with a little education. I am actually for lowering the drinking age and raising the driving age.
March 17, 2008 at 9:23 am
E.S. Delia
I think you’re right on the money there, Matt. On occasions where my extended family gets together, wine is often enjoyed with dinner, and is given a general respect with food.
Of course, my Thanksgiving beer pairings were my own endeavor. Still, I think better beer culture is a way to foster respect and work toward appreciation.
April 22, 2008 at 10:59 am
Renegades and Outlaws « Relentless Thirst
[...] up my first batch of homebrew, I picked up some troubling news via Stonch. Apparently, following the article on Free the Hops and homebrewing that appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control has come down on Scott [...]