I still support the guy still or not because I don't agree with that federal law either. It's a law created by Halmiton in order create a tax to help pay for the federal gov and there were a lot of heavy drinkers back then so it fit.
Now if he was selling either product, I'd have an issue.
I understand your position, but I cant support the action as it relates to homebrewing laws and the perception that homebrewers are bootleggers or moonshiners.
we have to separate ourselves from the idea that we are making and/or selling illegal alcohol and the typical stereotype is that anyone homebrewing is making moonshine.
as far as I am concerned, we as a group trying to get the homebrewing law changed, dont need any negative publicity that creates an impression that we engage in any activity that is related to the manufacture and/or sale of distilled spirits.
if he really has been scapegoated by someone or setup, I will be the first to support him. but until he can find a way to clear up the details, we as a group have to assume the worst and prepare to answer questions that WILL be posed to our sponsor next session.
ALCAP, will jump on this next year if it turns out that he was distilling or selling anything he made, you can bet on it, and while that in and of itself isnt really that big of a deal, the perception thing is huge.
I agree we should be taking on the beer issue. Because the federal government has givin us this right that our state is denying us.
__________________ Teufel Hunden Brewing Company
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The problem is that it's impossible to make the same economic argument than was possible in the case of sales of higher ABV beers. You can't present a picture of all those people driving to GA or FL to buy their refreshment, thereby doing AL out of all that revenue. There's no net gain involved for the State of Alabama in legalizing homebrewing...and don't give me any stuff about legislators doing the right thing. No politician ever did anything except the expedient thing. The question is.....what's the expedient thing here?
I can only see one way out, and it's fairly messy. From what I've read in this thread and others, barring some huge change in Alabama politics there's a path to success, if homebrewers have the stomach for it. Get as manyhomebrewers committed as possible, and on a given day, publicly announced, thousands of homebrewers are mashing and doing boils in their driveway. This may cost a lot of people.....but probably not. Something of that magnitude is likely to get Alabama in the national media in ways they'd rather not. Threats of making a big enough splash may do it where nothing else will.
Do I think this is even possible? Not very, I suppose, and the state may simply ignore it, as there'll doubtless be little demand from any constituency to enforce the law......
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“Malt does more than Milton can / To justify God’s ways to man”
-A. E. Housman (1859–1936). A Shropshire Lad , 1896.
I can only see one way out, and it's fairly messy. From what I've read in this thread and others, barring some huge change in Alabama politics there's a path to success, if homebrewers have the stomach for it. Get as manyhomebrewers committed as possible, and on a given day, publicly announced, thousands of homebrewers are mashing and doing boils in their driveway. This may cost a lot of people.....but probably not. Something of that magnitude is likely to get Alabama in the national media in ways they'd rather not. Threats of making a big enough splash may do it where nothing else will.
I'd be willing to pack up my stuff and join someone across the state line to do it. I'd call it Outlaw Pale Ale.
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<priceless quote>My dog dropped his bone in my fermentor while I wasn't looking.</end quote>
I'd be willing to pack up my stuff and join someone across the state line to do it. I'd call it Outlaw Pale Ale.
Hmm , any way to make it public. like everyone mashing and brewing, in one place, a park or something. But don't pitch until home. so no crime committed, but all the press.
Hmm , any way to make it public. like everyone mashing and brewing, in one place, a park or something. But don't pitch until home. so no crime committed, but all the press.
I like the way you think!
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<priceless quote>My dog dropped his bone in my fermentor while I wasn't looking.</end quote>
If I had the money to travel, I'd join in on that but wonder if they'd fine/arrest for having brewing paraphernalia...
Personally though, get friends from out of state, like a club, to host a few Alabama reps/senators/politicians for a brew day/cookout and have people bring along a variety of beer styles that normally aren't in Alabama. Seriously, who would turn down free beer and possibly a burger or hotdog?
I can only see one way out, and it's fairly messy. From what I've read in this thread and others, barring some huge change in Alabama politics there's a path to success, if homebrewers have the stomach for it. Get as manyhomebrewers committed as possible, and on a given day, publicly announced, thousands of homebrewers are mashing and doing boils in their driveway. This may cost a lot of people.....but probably not. Something of that magnitude is likely to get Alabama in the national media in ways they'd rather not. Threats of making a big enough splash may do it where nothing else will.
Do I think this is even possible? Not very, I suppose, and the state may simply ignore it, as there'll doubtless be little demand from any constituency to enforce the law......
I agree 100% but I am willing to give our legislators and those controlling their puppet strings another year considering the progress that was made in 2010. However, if next spring homebrewing is still illegal I will to help organize a state wide Wort Making Day.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by d510addict
Also while I've never had home brew beer I too would find it hard to believe that a homebrew could be better than a fresh pint of tracktown honey orange wheat.
The problem is that it's impossible to make the same economic argument than was possible in the case of sales of higher ABV beers. You can't present a picture of all those people driving to GA or FL to buy their refreshment, thereby doing AL out of all that revenue. There's no net gain involved for the State of Alabama in legalizing homebrewing...and don't give me any stuff about legislators doing the right thing. No politician ever did anything except the expedient thing. The question is.....what's the expedient thing here?
I can only see one way out, and it's fairly messy. From what I've read in this thread and others, barring some huge change in Alabama politics there's a path to success, if homebrewers have the stomach for it. Get as manyhomebrewers committed as possible, and on a given day, publicly announced, thousands of homebrewers are mashing and doing boils in their driveway. This may cost a lot of people.....but probably not. Something of that magnitude is likely to get Alabama in the national media in ways they'd rather not. Threats of making a big enough splash may do it where nothing else will.
Do I think this is even possible? Not very, I suppose, and the state may simply ignore it, as there'll doubtless be little demand from any constituency to enforce the law......
There actually is some economic benefit to the state. Think about how much you spent on brewing ingredients and equipment last year. Those of us in the legalization effort figured that an average homebrewer probably spends around $1000 per year on this hobby. With homebrewing presently illegal, there are very few shops in Alabama in which to purchase ingredients and equipment (it's really sad that the best shop within reasonable driving distance is the infamous kegkits.com). Based on numbers from AHA membership and various multipliers, we estimated that there are perhaps as many as 1000 homebrewers in the state. So that's $1M being sent out of state each year and an associated sales tax revenue of nearly $100,000 that the state doesn't receive.
That's the immediate monetary consequences of leaving homebrewing illegal (I realize not everyone will immediately start buying ingredients in state even if the shops were someone to open on the day the bill was signed, but if even 1/4 of the estimated money was kept in the Alabama economy, it would be sufficiently beneficial). But there are side benefits as well. A thriving legal homebrewing hobby will necessitate local homebrew shops, which introduce additional jobs in the community. Most commercial breweries were founded by former homebrewers, and more breweries means more jobs and more alcohol tax revenue for the state.
These are the kinds of points we're trying to stress with the legislators.
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