Ramos eyes improved economic competitiveness with enactment of relaxed ABV limit
State Rep. Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) today praised the enactment of House Bill 37, legislation that eliminates the alcohol-by-volume (ABV) limit in breweries across Ohio. The bill that Gov. Kasich signed on May 31 officially goes into effect today, Aug. 29.
Ohio’s old alcohol-by-volume limit on beer was 12 percent. The passage of HB 37 eliminated that limit, allowing Ohio breweries to make and sell beer with a higher concentration of alcohol.
“This law will bring Ohio breweries to a level playing field with breweries in other states that do not have this unnecessary burden,” said Ramos. “It provides a great boon for brewers in an already booming industry.”
Ramos, who was a co-sponsor on HB 37, played a leading role in pushing for raised ABV limits in Ohio’s alcoholic beverages. He previously sponsored bills in the 129th and 130th General Assemblies that proposed raising the ABV limit.
“I’ve worked for years on this to help the brewery industry, one of the few industries that not only survived by thrived throughout the recession,” added Ramos. “I was pleased to see my original proposal be folded into another bill that will allow breweries to re-invest in new and exciting opportunities”
The bill – which received bi-partisan support from both chambers – also allows open container districts and establishes new labeling requirements for high-alcohol beer.