The state Senate Commerce Committee voted to raise the cap on alcohol content in beer from 6 percent to 15 percent, and forwarded the measure to the full Senate for consideration.

Similar legislation was passed in the state House in May; the House bill ran into trouble when some lawmakers tried to raise the beer tax along with the alcohol level, but the Senate measure passed with little debate.

Bill sponsor Rep. Stephen LaRoque (R-Lenoir) said the measure would help the state's microbreweries, but the Christian Action League of North Carolina worried that the law could open the door for liquor sales at grocery stores.

North Carolina is one of six states that limit the alcohol content in beer to 6 percent.

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