Of the world’s Top 100 beers, only two are available here. Alabama has some of the most restrictive liquor laws in the nation still on the books years after Prohibition. Free the Hops (FTH) is a grassroots, citizen-driven organization trying to change that. For the second legislative session, the group will try to get state lawmakers to literally free the hops by increasing the limit on alcohol content allowed in beer. But first they have to battle with Birmingham Budweiser.
FTH has asked its members and supporters to join a formal boycott of Birmingham Budweiser products. In an e-mail sent late Tuesday night, new FTH president Stuart Carter says the leadership at the local beer distributor is “still working against the interests of both Anheuser Busch (who, in addition to Bud, brews dozens of beers that are currently illegal under Alabama law) and Alabama consumers. They have indicated that they will again work to prevent our bill, freeing the hops, from passing in the Alabama state legislature.”
FTH shares on its website that Alabama is one of only three states that limits alcohol by volume for beer to only 6%, and the only state that limits beer containers to a size of no more than 1 pint (16 American ounces).
Some reasons given for the stance against changing the laws include not wanting teens to get drunk on higher alcohol beverages. We here at The Terminal don’t know too many 16-year-olds who will choose expensive, gourmet beer over cheap, easy to get Bud Ice.
Beers on the FTH boycott list
• 9th Street Market Tuscan Orange
• Beach Bum Blonde Ale
• Bud Ice
• Bud Light
• Budweiser
• Busch
• Elk Mountain Amber Ale
• Hurricane
• Michelob Amber Bock
• Michelob Beer
• Michelob Black & Tan
• Michelob Golden Pilsner
• Michelob Hefeweizen
• Michelob Honey Lager
• Michelob Light
• Michelob Märzen
• Michelob Pale Ale
• Michelob Ultra
• Michelob Ultra Amber
• O’Doul’s
• O’Doul’s Amber
• Redbridge
• Shock Top Belgian White
• Spring Heat Spiced Wheat (Being turned into a year-round brew, Shock Top Belgian White)
• Sun Dog Amber Wheat ale
• Wild Blue
• Winter’s Bourbon Cask Ale
• Ziegenbock
