A new breed of beer lovers has emerged in the last decade — the samplers, the seekers of the finest beers around…

In 2015 alone, craft beer grew to be a $22.3 billion industry in the U.S. Craft beers are generally more expensive than mass market beers, but their value is in brewing the finest hops, grains, malts into a beer worthy of the title “craft beer.” Creating and marketing these varieties is both an art and a skill for brewmasters — one that can be likened to fine winemakers…

Many of the formulas for complex beers are limited by state laws which regulate the acceptable level of alcohol. In the case of craft beers, the law that was a good idea decades ago no longer is appropriate for new brews.

Gov. John Kasich, recognizing the need for change, signed a bill eliminating the 12 percent level, thus giving the nod to fine brews being produced in Ohio.

Those opposed to the bill are concerned about the ramifications of allowing drinks which may have alcohol levels up to 16 percent…

In short, the laws loosening restrictions on alcohol percentage speak to a new generation of beer lovers. If the craft brew industry can bring in more than $20 billion in a year, Ohio better tap into that.

 

The Sandusky Register