Effort Seeks To Legalize Stronger Beer In Alabama

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- A two-year effort to legalize some of the world's finest and most expensive beers in Alabama is coming to a head.

The Alabama Senate meets Monday for the final day of the 2008 legislative session. One of the bills pending before the Senate would more than double the amount of alcohol that could be sold in beer in Alabama.

Stuart Carter of Free the Hops says Alabama's limit on beer is more restrictive than 47 other states. Carter's group has been trying to get the Legislature to raise the limit for two years.

The Rev. Dan Ireland of the American Council on Alcohol Problems says the bill would lead to more beer getting into the hands of teenagers. A similar bill died in the 2007 legislative session.