The SC legislature raised the allowable alcohol limit on malt beer from 6% to 17.7% , paving the way for many new specialty brews to be made and sold across the state of South Carolina.

     Now the education of the masses begins! Some of those styles include:  

•  Strong Scottish Ales
•  German Bocks, including Helles, Maibocks,
    Dopplebocks, Eisbocks, and Weizenbocks
•  Russian Imperial Stout
•  Barleywine (American- and English-style)
•  Seasonal brews
•  Belgian Dubbel, Tripel, Strong Golden Ale, Saison
•  English Old and Strong Ales

     Also, some more common styles like India pale ale brewed in non-traditional ways, such as boiling the wort for a longer period of time can produce unique flavors, the higher alcohol content is more of a byproduct.

     A warning to those folks who have little experience with high gravity beers...take it easy. These take some getting used to if you're accustomed to domestics like Bud & Miller. The alcohol content can be over twice as high. You will want to slowly sip on your Doppelbock, swirling it around in your glass and savoring the complex character of the heavenly nectar. Just remember, don't order a high gravity beer at the end of a drinking session, you really want to be able to remember how good it was!