POP the Cap SC

[Payson]

Please help South Carolinians "Pop the Cap"! A well thought out response to the following article would be a great help! Please show respect if you choose to respond! "Craft Beer", "Gourmet Beer" are far more favorable terms than "High Gravity", "High Octane", etc... Thanks in advance for any help!!

Charleston News (http://www.abcnews4.com/news/stories/0307/409497.html#boards)

[fretlessman71]

Okay... here are a few thoughts on the matter...

To Dr. Suzanne Thomas: If you even have a taste of a beer with more than 9% ABV, You'll Know It. This stuff isn't intended to be slammed down at the speed of a Mountain Dew, and those who try to do so will probably end up vomiting instead of enjoying the experience.

Plus, if they're so bent on getting drunk, why are they wasting their time with beer? Why not go and get a bottle of whiskey or rum or vodka and go that way?

Furthermore, if 14% beer is so bad, why is it we never hear of your efforts to rid your state of 151 proof rum, which is 75.5%? Seems to me that there are other alcohol companies out there making a bigger noise about the alcohol level of their product; why go after something with one-fifth to one-eighth the alcohol?

To Roland Bell: I dare you to have TWO 14%ABV BEERS in a sitting, THEN get up and tell me you can't tell that there's something wrong with your sensory input. I'd bet you 4 bottles of Dogfish Head 90min IPA you couldn't even FIND your keys, let along figure out where to put them.

And don't tell me people might not notice it until it's too late... the people who are drinking for effect ARE DRINKING TO NOTICE IT. They LIKE getting drunk. Until you're able to outlaw drunkenness, these laws are pointless. Good luck on that endeavor.

Again, the purpose of creating beers with higher ABV has nothing to do with wanting to get people drunker faster; it is simply a byproduct of creating a beer with a desired flavor. It is to be respected... not banned.

[Payson]

Again, the purpose of creating beers with higher ABV has nothing to do with wanting to get people drunker faster; it is simply a byproduct of creating a beer with a desired flavor. It is to be respected... not banned.

Well Said!

[Payson]

Very well spoken Hogie! Thanks!

[dparsons]

I popped a reply up there too. I can't believe the prejudice and unrealistic view purported by those two "experts." Seems too many people have agendas these days.

[Payson]

I popped a reply up there too. I can't believe the prejudice and unrealistic view purported by those two "experts." Seems too many people have agendas these days.

Thanks! Thanks to beer lovers, the responses have been overwhelmingly positive! Self proclaimed "Experts" are always a red flag! It's amazing how much spin can get put on anything! It's all about ratings.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by Payson
Thanks! Thanks to beer lovers, the responses have been overwhelmingly positive! Self proclaimed "Experts" are always a red flag! It's amazing how much spin can get put on anything! It's all about ratings.

yep - I hate when reporters just print a press release instead of actualy finding out about the issue

[Payson]

yep - I hate when reporters just print a press release instead of actualy finding out about the issue
Sad how often it happens. Damnable news coverage in this country is SO biased!

[chazwicke]

I tried to post but the site locked me out. This what what I had intended to post.

I frankly, am surprised that South Carolina has not already "Popped the Cap" on alcohol content limits on beer just as its neighbors have done. Many more enlightened states have gone so far as to embrace the craft brewing movement. New York state promotes this growing industry and tourism and is even enacting an official brew tour through it's state much the same as the winery tours. Why would S.C. want to discourage free enterprise and not bolster it's tourist business by allowing more upscale options or choices to it's citizens or visitors. The folks who will be purchasing these premium beers are not the local homeless alcoholic but those with sophisticated or discerning pallets who know exactly what they are buying and are knowledgeable and respectful of the product. They are also willing to pay premium prices. With popular tourist destinations like Charleston or Myrtle Beach I would think they would want to cater to the gourmet tastes and dollars that offering premium or craft brewed beverages would bring into the economy. I think the so-called experts whom were quoted in the article do a disservice to the people of South Carolina. It appears that they do not believe the people are capable of making an educated choice or that the general population is just out to get a quick drunk. It is outdated, backwards thinking like that, which makes S.C. in general, look bad.

[Payson]

Very well stated Chaz! I'm sure there will be more mis-informed reporting going on in the very near future so your carefully worded response probably won't go to waste! Thanks to the Realbeer community for helping with this worthy cause!

[danno]

here's my response:

"I'd like to echo what several other have eloquently stated, about the one-sided reporting. What your reporting failed to mention, and I noticed that your video studiously avoided, was the price tags. There are very few beers sold with more than 10% alcohol by volume, and they are are quite expensive in comparison to the mass produced 5% beers. One of the most cited examples of 14% ABV beers is a German produced lager called Samichlaus. Here in Minnesota a 4 pack (yes, only four bottles) of 12oz bottles retails for around $17. That price compares to a case and a half of 5% Budweiser. I am a registered beer judge, and have never seen a six pack of high alcohol beer (over 10% ABV) retail for less than $12. This should make it obvious to anyone that people looking for beer simply as an alcohol delivery device will not be purchasing the higher end craft beers.

So, Channel 4, what's next? A profile stating cars with over 100 horsepower go fast and could kill people?"

[Chuckee]

Excellent Chaz!

We are also trying to lift the cap in Alabama.

Do you mind if we use your letter...

[HogieWan]

chaz - you have to sign up and wait for the email from them, click the activation link and use the password from the email.

[corkybstewart]

I went through the signup process, got my temporary password and posted, but got locked out also. I'll try again after lunch.
I joined Free the Hops in Alabama to support them, but there's a lot of self interest there. I plan on spending a couple of weeks in Alabama this summer and don't want to have to take 6 kegs of homebrew with me.

[Chuckee]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
I plan on spending a couple of weeks in Alabama this summer and don't want to have to take 6 kegs of homebrew with me.

If you *do* end up bringing all that beer with you to Alabama, and, if you need any help putting it all away, don't hesitate to ask for help. :rolleyes:

[Payson]

Excellent job Danno! I'm amazed that they think people will "accidently" drink two of these and go out and cause an accident! I've never had a World Wide Stout just appear unannounced in my fridge and replace something with a lesser ABV... I wish it would though! :D

Thanks again to all that are jumping on the bandwagon. I knew this was the right place to seek support!!

Here's the official website: Pop the Cap (http://www.popthecapsc.org/)

[D0nc0smic]

while i love the cause and think that arbitrary limits on ABV are ridiculous, i have seen one exception to the rule about price, Brooklyn black chocolate stout, which is 10.6% and retails around here for $7.99 a sixpack, not that i'm complaining, its just a great deal. Of course anyone who tried to slam them would most likely get very sick very quickly.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by corkybstewart
I went through the signup process, got my temporary password and posted, but got locked out also. I'll try again after lunch.

it got me at first too, but you have to follow the link in the email before using the password provided.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by Chuckee
Excellent Chaz!

We are also trying to lift the cap in Alabama.

Do you mind if we use your letter...

Yep feel free.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by HogieWan
it got me at first too, but you have to follow the link in the email before using the password provided. I tried that but it said I was temporarily blocked. I'll try again.

[dparsons]

Originally posted by D0nc0smic
while i love the cause and think that arbitrary limits on ABV are ridiculous

Absolutely. By that logic having a president should be outlawed because someone could use the power of office to start a war under false pretenses that was really aimed at his own financial advantage. Oh wait ...

[MarkSCCOT]

I am new to this site, but I am active on Beer Advocate. We have been active in this issue also. Pop the Cap's website is being maintained by Jaime Tenny (info@popthecapsc.org). We responded to the stupid channel 4 segment as well.
I was proud of the replies from everyone. All were well written and showed clearly that this is an issue of knowledgeable beer fans, not an issue of alcohol risks.
There is beer dinner for people who want to help with Pop the Cap;

Join us for a beer dinner to benefit Pop the Cap SC.
A three course dinner paired with select beers, including Victory and Brooklyn.

It will be held at the new EVO restaurant in Old North Charleston.
Only 40 tickets will be sold and are priced at $20. Please contact Jaime for your ticket reservation, first come first serve.

This will PTCSC's first beer dinner event and should be exciting due to our bill currently in legislation. Come and meet your fellow BA's!

Official Event Website:
http://www.ptcsc.wordpress.com

Also, we will be handing out literature at the Ballpark Beer Festival. (Anyone need info?)
This is not a Beeradvocate issue nor a Realbeer issue. This is an issue for beer fans who want high gravity beers!

[fretlessman71]

I assure you, there isn't a single member here who would ever work against this measure. All the best to you and yours for what you're doing! :)

[Payson]

This is an issue for beer fans who want high gravity beers!
This is actually an issue for people who want "Craft" or "Gourmet" beers. The term "High Gravity" should be avoided like the plague! It implies that alcohol content is the goal!

[chazwicke]

I was finally able to post my comments on the News Thread. I had to re-register using a different email address and get a new password.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by Payson
This is actually an issue for people who want "Craft" or "Gourmet" beers. The term "High Gravity" should be avoided like the plague! It implies that alcohol content is the goal! I agree - it's using the enemy's terminology. Like a conservative politician referring to his adversaries as "progressives" or something... :D

[MarkSCCOT]

I finally got through to read the article after a few days and took forever to post a reply. Come to find out that all the attention to the article "crashed" the server. From what I understand, the article was the most seen in their history.
I did email the reporter vblandin@wciv.com. He answered and I think he was blown away that our opinions went directly against what he was projecting.
BTW, I heard from the lobbyist. The Bill is due to get a second and third reading on the floor, then it goes to the house for concurance/nonconcurance and lastly to the Governor. I think then it wouldn't hurt to start writing, faxing or Emailing Sanford.
BTW, I agree with the terminology of craft or gourmet beer instead of high gravity. I keep returning to the term high gravity since I like to cellar beer and as such use high gravity to identify beers that could successfully be cellared.

[fretlessman71]

Remember that highly hopped or smoked beers also withstand the test of time. But an honest mistake, to be sure. Rock on bro!

[HogieWan]

thanks for the legal update - keep us posted

BTW - Welcome

[chazwicke]

Give us the address of the Reps and Gov. I'll send a copy of my post on the news stations thread even though I don't live in the state.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by MarkSCCOT
I finally got through to read the article after a few days and took forever to post a reply. Come to find out that all the attention to the article "crashed" the server. From what I understand, the article was the most seen in their history.
I did email the reporter vblandin@wciv.com. He answered and I think he was blown away that our opinions went directly against what he was projecting.
BTW, I heard from the lobbyist. The Bill is due to get a second and third reading on the floor, then it goes to the house for concurance/nonconcurance and lastly to the Governor. I think then it wouldn't hurt to start writing, faxing or Emailing Sanford.
BTW, I agree with the terminology of craft or gourmet beer instead of high gravity. I keep returning to the term high gravity since I like to cellar beer and as such use high gravity to identify beers that could successfully be cellared.

Care to share your letter to him and his response?

[MarkSCCOT]

I didn't save his letter, but basicly he stated that he felt it was completely impartial and that he interviewed a customer, a counsellor and a retailer.
He said that if the bill went further, his news director would consider revisiting the issue.

Changing the subject, check out the almost complete brochure

http://ptcsc.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/ptcsc_brochure-final.pdf

It just needs one more sponsors logo and it is ready to distribute. Give it to friends, retailers, etc. Spread it all over.

[Payson]

It has now PASSED the House, on to the Senate... (H3624)


EDIT: Better news!!! It's passed the House and Senate (H3218) which will in effect get the same goal accomplished! Unless Gov. Sanford goes against the masses this is an historic day for South Carolinians!

[The Alchemist]

If the governor signs the bill, do you know when it will go into effect? I will be in HHI the last week of June for my annual golf trip. I have always wished for a greater selection of beer when I am there.

[MarkSCCOT]

From what I heard from the lobbyist this evening, we should start seeing high gravity beers this summer. Look for some of the chains (Total Wine, etc) to be a little slower due to corporate planogram process, but the smaller places will be pretty fast.

[MarkSCCOT]

As for a trip to Hilton Head, consider a trip to Habershams in Savannah, GA. It's fairly close and already carry the beers.

[Payson]

Originally posted by The Alchemist
If the governor signs the bill, do you know when it will go into effect? I will be in HHI the last week of June for my annual golf trip. I have always wished for a greater selection of beer when I am there.

I'd think the better bars would jump on board really quickly as well. You may be in luck!

[MeridianFC]

Good work to the folks in South Cackalacky!

[chazwicke]

Yep! My fingers remain crossed until all legislation is passed and signed.

[Payson]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Yep! My fingers remain crossed until all legislation is passed and signed.
Likewise! Thankfully during last years fledgling effort the Governor indicated that he'd sign it if it didn't contain a lot of superfluous political baggage. Hopefully his views haven't changed. If/when the time comes to inundate him with letters seeking his support I'll let the good folks here at Realbeer know!
:D

[Payson]

Just heard that Governor Sanford has signed the bill into law! South Carolinians rejoice!! Thanks to all of the RealBeerians that helped!:D

[chazwicke]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MeridianFC]

Well done. I'm wonder if I'll see some monster winter brew at the Aiken Brewing Co. this winter when I go down to visit the fam.

[Payson]

Well done. I'm wonder if I'll see some monster winter brew at the Aiken Brewing Co. this winter when I go down to visit the fam.
I'd count on it! I think someone is already prodding Randy! (as if he needs it!)

[threecb]

Nice Work PTC'ers!