North Carolina panel approves bill to raise alcohol content in beer.

AP--The variety of beers sold in North Carolina could soon be much broader, as North Carolina House committee approved a bill on Wednesday that would raise the maximum alcohol content permitted in malt beverages.

The bill must still be approved by the North Carolina legislature's alcoholic beverage control committee before moving to the full legislature, but supporters of the bill were optimistic about its chances.

The House Commerce Committee voted 18-11 in favor of the measure which would allow beers above the current 6 percent alcohol limit to be brewed or sold commercially in the state.

Removing the limit, supporters say, would expand the number of specialty brews and exotic beers that could be sold here. Beer enthusiast and microbreweries statewide have lobbied the North Carolina Legislature for the change.

Rep. Stephen LaRoque, R-Lenoir, the bill's primary sponsor, said the bill also could nourish a cottage industry of microbreweries, by allowing them to produce a wider variety of brews.

North Carolina is one of six states that have an alcohol limit on beer as low as 6 percent, though a handful of other states don't allow grocery stores to sell standard beer. The current limit has been on the books since 1935.

The bill cleared the committee after panelists narrowly rejected an amendment that would have required a higher tax on beers with the higher alcohol content. Supporters of the amendment said the higher tax would have been more commensurate with taxes on wine and liquor.

The Christian Action League of North Carolina opposes removing the 6 percent limit. If the state raises the limit, sales should be restricted to state ABC stores, said the Rev. Mark Creech, the league's executive director.

The bill now moves to the House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee.