A new piece of legislation introduced on Friday seeks to significantly increase the allowed alcohol content in beer in Arkansas.
House Bill 1173 proposes changing the state’s alcohol regulations to raise the limit from 5% to 14% alcohol by volume for beer. Additionally, the bill would eliminate the current distinction between malt beverages and beer, as long as the alcohol content does not exceed the 14% cap.
The primary goal of this legislative change, according to its authors, is to curb the illegal production and consumption of alcohol that falls outside the 14% limit set by the new guidelines.
The bill is being sponsored by Rep. Matt Brown (R-Conway) and Sen. Scott Flippo (R-Bull Shoals). In the 2023 legislative session, Brown had previously introduced a similar proposal, along with Sen. Missy Irvin (R-Mountain View), which would have raised the alcohol content of beer to 12%. However, that bill was withdrawn early in the process.
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