Many businesses across Starkville have been capitalizing on the new law increasing the legal alcohol percentage in Mississippi since it went into effect July 1.
With the legal cap now at 8 percent, businesses are able to sell a larger variety of craft beers to customers. 
Nate Kniesley, owner and operator of Halfway House, said the new law has increased sales tremendously and had a very positive effect.
“Since July 1, we’ve had people coming through the front door asking what new beers we have available,” he said. “It’s overwhelming how quick we’re selling it.”
With additional alcohol comes additional price, and Halfway House, like many other bars in Starkville, will take some time to determine which of the craft beers will continue to be worth the increased price.
“We have about 11 on draft right now new to us since July, but there are several more that we just don’t have space for,” Kniesley said. “We’re trying to give our guests the option to pick what they want. We try one this week, and if it sells, well, we keep it.”
Jay Bradley, co-owner of Cowbell’s Sports Grill, said they are also taking time to make smart decisions on new purchases.
 ”We want to hear from everyone who was gone this summer so we can buy intelligently,” he said. “We want to get the opinion of our customers. We’ve tested a few beers and are trying to make a decision on updating our beer selection; right now, one of the top runners for us is Yuengling.”
Rick Welch, owner of Rick’s Café, said he waits on his customers’ appeals before ordering new craft beers.
“It’s not financially feasible or smart to get all the new beers available to us now, but if someone requests something, we try to make it available,” Welch said.
 Having a new selection has peaked the curiosity of many Mississippians, but not everyone is willing to part with what they know. Welch said although the variety is beneficial for Starkville, his customers have not made a huge dent in the list of new availabilities.
“We haven’t sold a whole bunch, but hopefully it will pick up more,” he said. “People have their favorite beer. Customers will try a few beers then go back to their favorites.”
Dave Hood, owner of Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, said its sales have increased over the summer.
“We’ve been steadily adding craft beers as more become available,” he said. “Some of the current new beers we carry are Smithwicks, Diamond Bear IPA and Naked Pig Pale Ale. Guinness and Southern Pecan are still popular and we look forward to more offerings from Lazy Magnolia out of Hancock County.”
Hood is promoting their new selection through a Craft Beer Night every Thursday with special discounts. Customers try out these new beers for many different reasons, whether it be taste, uniqueness or design.
Bin 612 has seen an increase in sales and interest in these new craft beers, which Paul Brasfield, the store’s general manager, said he attributes to their trendiness.
“People will say, ‘Oh, look at that Avita bottle; it’s so different.’ They’re trendy and cool,” he said. ” It’s already become a big trend out West and up North, and the Bible Belt is finally coming along. We can’t wait to see it grow.”
Brasfield said Bin 612 currently has eight different kinds of new craft beers in, and they plan to acquire more.
Many of the bars are waiting to see which drinks returning students are interested in purchasing before choosing their stocks.
Alan Burns, a graduate student studying public policy and administration, said he enjoys having more options to choose from.
“Every time one of my normal bars or restaurants advertises a new high-gravity beer, I definitely try it, within reason,” he said. “It hasn’t changed how much I buy, but it has changed what I buy. The opportunities for more breweries to start distributing their products here is a really interesting thing to see.”