COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A House subcommittee on Wednesday approved a bill allowing the sale of stronger beer in South Carolina.

The subcommittee approved a bill that allows the sale of beer with up to 14 percent alcohol-by-volume content. The current limit is six percent.

Businesses that want to make money selling the so-called "gourmet" beers say they can bring more tax money to the state. The beers can cost up to ten dollars a bottle.

David Smith of Green's Discount Beverage Stores says the beer is comparable to fine wines. Smith owns stores in Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach and Atlanta.

Georgia and North Carolina have both changed laws in the past couple of years to allow stronger beer sales. Smith says there's a huge market for the product.

The bill now goes to the full House Judiciary Committee.