This Week in Beer News: 21 ABV Beer, Lost Abbey CFO Arrested and No Growlers in Grocery Stores

Ah, Christmas, a whole day of watching the kids unwrap presents while you stay happy with that holiday variety pack bought days earlier. Lets just hope you left one for Santa.

Bust out the case of Christmas ales because you've got the week off (hopefully) and nothing else to do but read This Week in Beer News.

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Graham Mackay, Former SABMiller Chairman, Dies at Age 64

Former SABMiller Chief Executive and Chairman Graham Mackay passed away on December 18 at the age of 64. Mackay helped South African Breweries purchase Miller Brewing Company to become the world's largest brewery by revenues.

Ohio Legislator Wants 21% ABV Beer

Ohio state representative Dan Ramos (D-Lorain) re-introduced a bill that would allow brewers to make beer with up to 21 percent alcohol. First introduced in 2011, Ramos says his idea has been gaining popularity among Ohio brewers.

Port Brewing/Lost Abbey CFO Charged with Grand Theft

James Comstock, a certified public accountant and the chief financial officer for Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey Brewing Company, was arrested last week and charged with grand theft. Port Brewing has fired Comstock, who is also part owner of Latitude 33 Brewing Company.

Small Brewers Want Less Taxes; Big Breweries Do Too

Microbreweries (craft breweries?) are asking Congress to cut their federal excise taxes so they can take a bit more market share from the bigger breweries such as Coors, Anheuser-Busch and Corona. The bigger companies, however, want federal excise taxes cut regardless of size.

Wisconsin Groups Don't Want Growler Stations in Grocery Stores

While a law in Florida is being interpreted to allow package stores to have growler fill stations, special interest groups in Wisconsin that represent bars and taverns are fighting to prevent grocery stores from doing the same thing. After all, Wisconsin is a state with more bars per capita than grocery stores.

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