North Carolina panel approves bill to raise alcohol content in beer.(Brief Article)

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