COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – In a move that would allow craft brewers the freedom to make boozier beers, Ohio lawmakers have voted to scrap a cap on alcohol content for beer that’s been on the books since just after Prohibition. Ohio legislators this week followed the lead of other states in voting to get rid of the 12 percent cap to make life easier for the booming craft beer industry, which has flinched at anything restricting brewers’ ability to be creative and make stronger ales. The bill now heads to Republican Gov. John Kasich, whose spokesman said does not yet have any specific plans for signing it. Craft beer was a $22.3 billion industry in the U.S. last year, with sales growing by nearly 13 percent over the previous year. Exports were up by more than 16 percent. Lawmakers say the move levels the playing field and makes Ohio even more attractive to smaller breweries like BrewDog, a Scottish craft beer company that’s building its $30 million U.S. headquarters – including restaurant and taproom – in suburban Columbus.
