Allowing the state`s 25 or so craft breweries to sell six packs, large bottles and other containers of beer directly to consumers. Previously, Alabama was the only state that banned such sales.

The head of the Alabama Brewers Guild said the change, which is coming about because of a law passed this year by legislators and signed by Gov. Robert Bentley, could help stoke further expansion of the state\'s brewing industry.

`It`s a big move forward,` said Dan Roberts, executive director of the trade organization.

Different companies plan to sell different types of containers, Roberts said, and in July brewers and traditional retailers will gather to address concerns from stores worried about losing business to breweries, which are scattered in cities large and small from the coast to the Tennessee Valley.

Alabama brewers have been selling beer in retail stores through distributors for several years, but they could only sell draft beer by the glass to customers who visited a brewery.

The change will provide an immediate boost for brewing companies that will be able to sell beer directly to consumers without paying distribution costs.

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