Could Rep. Jackson be persuaded to write in a provision that "encourages" marketers to provide very small containers for this strong beer? Imagine an aluminum can shaped like, and the size of a pack of cigarettes! With a resealable top. You carry it in your shirt pocket and take a small sip now and then. ("Beer" is probably a variant of the old word "bitters" and has similar digestive merits for the smart user.) On the side of the can would be lottery numbers you can scratch to get to... The cans would have handsome color illustrations and become collectibles. Or they could be used like bricks to build a weather-insulated wall for informal housing out in the sticks.

The alcohol beverage industry has for years has baited teenagers with Alcopop. I see this as a classic "Bait and Switch" opportunity. Why else would Rep. Jackson state the disclaimer that is would not appeal to teenagers? Oly the marketing will tell for sure!

What is the Alabama legislature thinking when they support increasing the addicting capacity of beer to 13.9%? Did they learn nothing from the tobacco experience? When the tobacco industry was exposed for increasing the addicting capacity of nicotine so customers would be more likely to get addicted quicker and be addicted, sick and dying customers longer a master settlement(since mis-spent by legislators)sentenced that legal and lethal industry to a 248 billion dollar settlement. It is decisions promoted by special interest alcohol producers that influence politicians and gives rise to the dubious Ronald Regan claim that government is the problem. In this case it is.

I think that passage of this bill is long overdue. I would prefer to keep tax dollars here in Alabama as opposed to giving them to other states where these beers are available (as I currently and readily do). Regarding teenage drinking, my last recollection is that the drinking age in Alabama is the same regardless of whether someone wants beer, wine or liquor. If a child decides that they want something stronger than 4% beer, they don't have to look far. If one wants to argue against stonger beer, they might as well argue that wine and liquor should also be banned. Finally, regarding the tobacco argument, the smoking of cigarettes is known to cause numerous cancers, while moderate consumption of alcohol has been shown to have health benefits. Remember, it is possible to abuse any substance, even those prescibed by doctors.

Finally Alabama has realized it is in the 21st Century! I have lived most of my 35 years in states that don't have these antiquated & narrow minded laws...I can honestly say what I know from experience - higher content beer appeals only to beer connoisseurs and NOT, I repeat, NOT to kids or even the average consumer...In regards to the getting drunk faster on higher alcohol beers, if that argument were valid then why not ban liquor altogether? Why? Because we learned from history that Prohibition doesn't work! The South has a long history of distilling moonshine and making homemade wine...Why not embrace and utilize that rich, albeit illegal, tradition and make something positive for the Great State of Alabama out of it? Olde Towne Brewery out of Huntsville makes some fantastic beers, they could produce even MORE variety if the legal alcohol limit is raised and consequently more money for the State. Make it legal and keep it LOCAL!!!