OXFORD, MS (abc24.com) - Mississippi beer sellers have many more menu options now that a new state law allows beer with higher alcohol content. It's been in effect more than a week, but several bars and restaurants still aren't selling the new brews.
Apparently the stronger supply is in such demand, distributors are having a hard time keeping up. Several restaurants are still waiting for shipments.
"The suppliers ran out of it before we were able to stock any," says Katherine Montague, who works at Ajax Diner. It's a hot spot for lunch in Oxford's Downtown Square.
Like most others that sell beer in Mississippi, the restaurant's expanding its selection to include ales, lagers and stouts with a higher alcohol content.
"Definitely the Abitas," Montague says. "I think everybody's really excited about it."
They've placed orders, but Ajax hasn't seen its new brews. "Hopefully we'll get two in this week, but they haven't been able to bring us any yet."
On July 1st a new Mississippi law increased beer's legal alcohol content from 5% to eight percent by weight, 10 by volume. Suppliers say shipments sold so fast, it's taking time to stock up.
"We're going to have it as soon as we can get it in," says Lee Cauthen, operating partner of McEwen's Oxford.
Just down the street from Ajax, McEwen's Oxford is also waiting to install its new taps.
"It really gives us about 125 new options to offer. We certainly won't have that many, but we want to be able to pick and choose what we want."
Right now, they just want to get it and serve it.
"As soon as possible," says Cauthen. "Probably this week."
"We'll try to get as much as we can," agrees Montague.
Mississippi was the only state that had a five percent limit. Another new law also allows the state's only brewery to offer samples on site.
