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Committee approves change to beer definition to allow some craft beers in grocery and convenience stores
Summary
Lawmakers approved an amendment and a "do pass" recommendation to raise the alcohol‑by‑weight threshold that defines "beer," a change supporters say will let craft beers currently sold only in liquor stores be sold by retailers with beer/wine permits. Opponents warned of higher alcohol products becoming more accessible and public safety concerns.
Representative Matt Brown (District 55) presented House Bill 1173 (as amended), a proposal to change the statutory definition of beer by raising the allowed alcohol by weight (ABW) ceiling for beer from 0.5% to 14% ABW. Brown said the change is intended to let grocery stores, convenience stores and other retailers with beer/wine permits legally sell many local craft beers that currently exceed the statutory ABW limit.
Brown and industry representatives described two technical amendments adopted before the committee advanced the…
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