Beer Brewers, Sellers Respond to Change in State Laws on Alcohol

Before May 2007, all those taps had one thing in common: The beers they dispensed contained less than 6 percent alcohol. Then a change in state law last spring opened South Carolina to a wave of stronger, more exotic beers. Curiosity about those new brews -- dubbed "high gravity" by the industry -- drove a surge of strong sales that continued well into August.

Hemsley figures a third of the beers he draws during happy hour are high gravity, with a strong preference for a locally brewed brand by North Charleston-based COAST Brewery.

"I would say (demand) is probably more during happy hour, because it's a great deal ($2.75, down from $4.75), and a lot of people are coming down for it," he said.

But according to South Carolina brewers, bartenders and distributors, the Charleston Beer Works story looks more like the exception and less like the rule.

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