Gov Chet Culver signs bill to allow Big Beer in Iowa:

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/87297642.html

If you don't want to read the article, here's a summary:

"...relinquishes state control over high-alcohol-content beer.

That means bars and restaurants can now buy those beers directly from distributors, without having the state act as a middle-man. Local micro-breweries can now make those higher-proof beers for their customers.

Until today, John's Grocery has served as a state retailer for high-alcohol-content beer. Now, bars and restaurants can buy that beer directly from distributors instead of wholesale from the Iowa City store."