AHA Membership. Why/Why Not?

[Yooper]

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/category/recent-alerts/

Gives all the recent and ongoing issues. May not make any difference where you may live, but overall, I want everyone's ability to brew to be unhampered as much as possible.

Last year the California ABC interpreted a then new law that was intended to make homemade wine legal to donate to charity (a good intention), as making it illegal to donate home brew to a brew festival. As a result (i.e. unable to get permits), the Southern California Homebrew Festival was cancelled for the first time in 24 years. Gray Glass and the AHA were very helpful in our lobbying for a new law (which was passed) to fix this problem. The festival is back on this year (now at Vail Lake Resort). Just one of many examples of the good work AHA does.

That is the biggest "Why?" for me. I don't live where I get discounts at pubs, and there aren't any AHA rallies close by- but I am a big proponent on supporting the AHA's efforts.

There are other things too- like grants for the Research and Education fund, which can help all of us be better brewers.

That's the main reason I'm running for the AHA Governing Committee. (The elections will start later this month). I think that we ALL benefit from the work it does.

 

[markstache]

It doesn't even show the LHBS and only shows one deal for Raleigh (10% merch at local brewery) which is kind of pathetic. I think that this is an area that the AHA really could focus on improving on.

Agreed. Given the relationship between the BA and AHA, you think they could twist a few more arms. And please, no more merch discounts.

 

[Malty_Dog]

I joined cause it seemed like the right thing to do and I love having access to all the Zymurgy content. This is a great hobby, I guess I feel like I'm giving something back, so to speak. I was a paying supporter here for a year for just that reason. Probably should become one again.

 

[RandallFlag]

That's the main reason I'm running for the AHA Governing Committee. (The elections will start later this month). I think that we ALL benefit from the work it does.

Yooper, what exactly does the Governing Committee do?

 

[MrNatural]

I belonged 20+ years ago for the info. 2 (semi) LHBS and an internet still being potty-trained made it tough to learn absent a mentor. Life events intervened and..............

That's the main reason I'm running for the AHA Governing Committee. (The elections will start later this month). I think that we ALL benefit from the work it does.

I joined again last year so I could vote for Yooper (and a couple of regional folks that looked worthy, one was elected).

Going to Rally in SF Saturday and another in March at UC Davis (and tally an In-law visit!). I think the awareness and advocacy that AHA provides is needed and valuable, with info and tech as a bonus.

Will be renewing Saturday, not so much just to vote, but thanks Lorena for stepping up again. I'm going vote for you twice, but I'm not from Chicago so they may not take:rockin:

 

[Yooper]

From the AHA's own description:
The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) Governing Committee (GC) is an advisory committee to the AHA Staff and Brewers Association Board of Directors.

The members of the Governing Committee are elected by the members of the AHA and charged with shaping the policy and activities on their behalf. View the AHA Governing Committee Bylaws.

The Governing Committee also appoints two members as designates to the Brewers Association Board of Directors

 

[RandallFlag]

The HBTalk forums folks are quite the community, I must say. Are there forum "get togethers" at these AHA conferences, etc.?

Ya'll are passionate, funny and I feel like ya'll are my drunk brothers/sisters in-law. And that one guy needs a helmet.

 

[Yooper]

The HBTalk forums folks are quite the community, I must say. Are there forum "get togethers" at these AHA conferences, etc.?

Ya'll are passionate, funny and I feel like ya'll are my drunk brothers/sisters in-law. And that one guy needs a helmet.

We have had several meet ups at the National Homebrewers Conference- and I've posted lots of pictures and I know that Homercidal has, and SoperBrew has posted more than a few as well!

The Soper Bus Tour has become legendary!

 

[soccerdad]

I signed up yesterday. I may campaign for Yooper based on her stance regarding the measles vaccine.

 

[starsman20]

Just go to one annual AHA conference. Just 1. Then you will see

 

[LabRatBrewer]

I voted for Yooper, but never saw the results. I assumed she won....If not what the heck? HBT needs to get the vote out.

 

[Yooper]

I voted for Yooper, but never saw the results. I assumed she won....If not what the heck? HBT needs to get the vote out.

Thank you, but no. I did not win last year. Another HBT friend did, though- mabrungard (who I voted for also!). I said I'd give it one more go, and the election will be coming up later this month. If you want to tell you CA homebrewers, that would be great. Last year, it was the highest voter turnout ever- but it still was less than 20% if I remember correctly.

 

[WissahickonBrew]

I am a member in good standing. I am amused by the number of posters who claimed to let their memberships lapse because they did not see any real value, and then they list 5 or 6 benefits of being a member???

The magazine Zymurgy is great, filled with relevant and current information. Access to the online archives of articles and information is also good. Access to the annual conference and competitions is a fabulous experience, I cannot wait to get to San Diego in June! Local AHA rallies are excellent networking opportunities and then there's the discounts and coupons at breweries, restaurants, etc.

Some folks are dabblers and get all the excitement they need in small circles. If your interest broadens, and you want to go deeper into the brewing community, there's an organization that will launch you in the right direction.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

The only why not I can think of is if you really couldn't afford $40 a year...**** I saved $10 just last friday at my local brewery on pints.

This is it for me.

For people seriously pinching pennies every month, you probably have more important things to do with your money.

For everyone else, it's really a no-brainer. They really are legislatively active looking out for us, and the magazine is good. Maybe you'll never enter the NHC our go to a conference, and maybe you don't live somewhere that you get discounts. But having an organization protecting and expanding homebrewer rights is priceless.

 

[myerstyson]

How do we vote? This is my first year and I'm stationed overseas so if it is by snail mail not sure I'll be able to vote.

 

[MrNatural]

How do we vote? This is my first year and I'm stationed overseas so if it is by snail mail not sure I'll be able to vote.

Voting is online.

 

[Darwin18]

I am a member in good standing. I am amused by the number of posters who claimed to let their memberships lapse because they did not see any real value, and then they list 5 or 6 benefits of being a member???

The magazine Zymurgy is great, filled with relevant and current information. Access to the online archives of articles and information is also good. Access to the annual conference and competitions is a fabulous experience, I cannot wait to get to San Diego in June! Local AHA rallies are excellent networking opportunities and then there's the discounts and coupons at breweries, restaurants, etc.

Some folks are dabblers and get all the excitement they need in small circles. If your interest broadens, and you want to go deeper into the brewing community, there's an organization that will launch you in the right direction.

Not everyone lives in an area where there any real discounts or benefits. For example, Raleigh, has one member discount listed on their website (10% bar ware at a local tap room). If I recall correctly there are only 11 or 12 total listed in North Carolina and a quarter of those are either in Charlotte or Asheville. Given the number of craft breweries and LHBS in the state it's pretty pathetic.

Not everyone lives in an area where there will be AHA rallies. There's only been one or two within a 2 - 3 hour drive since I've been a member.

Not everyone is able to go to NHC - it sounds like a cool but expensive experience once you lump in travel, lodging, etc. I'd love to go to one eventually.

For me, I get entry to the NHC competition and Zymurgy. I'm fine with the AHA being our lobbying group, but it's hard for me to come up with a LOT of reasons for someone to drop money on a AHA membership. It generally comes down to individual preferences. Honestly, if it came to choosing between HBT membership vs AHA membership I'd go with HBT since I've learned everything about brewing through HBT.

 

[RandallFlag]

Voting is online.

@MrNatural Can you post the link?

 

[bobeer]

I like it because i get 20% at the dfh ale house. If i take the wife out, and we get an app, 2 beers and each a dinner, then the apps turns out to be free.

The mag always has at least 1 recipe i dig too. Plus you're supporting a good cause!

 

[MrNatural]

@MrNatural Can you post the link?

Nothing yet for this year. I'm sure it will be forthcoming. They'll have a page of candidates with pic, bio, and platform posted a couple of weeks before election.

I "think" you get to vote for six, IIRC.

Still trying to figure out a way to vote for Yooper multiple times
Or maybe just get more people to vote for her once

 

[RandallFlag]

Still trying to figure out a way to vote for Yooper multiple times
Or maybe just get more people to vote for her once

She's got my vote.

 

[Yooper]

There are 10 (I think) candidates this year, running for 3 seats, so you will probably get to vote for 3 but that hasn't been announced yet.

Once voting is open, I'll definitely make sure that there is a link to the page!

All AHA members should vote, even if it's not for me- because the AHA Governing Committee represents all of us.

 

[LabRatBrewer]

Vote early and often

 

[blizzard]

I don't think anyone mentioned this, but it also allows you early ticket purchase for GABF and access to the members only session. I live in Denver, so that is the #1 reason I have it, but this thread does outline the other perks.

 

[WissahickonBrew]

Sounds like you shouldn't join, it's not for everyone.

Not everyone lives in an area where there any real discounts or benefits. For example, Raleigh, has one member discount listed on their website (10% bar ware at a local tap room). If I recall correctly there are only 11 or 12 total listed in North Carolina and a quarter of those are either in Charlotte or Asheville. Given the number of craft breweries and LHBS in the state it's pretty pathetic.

Not everyone lives in an area where there will be AHA rallies. There's only been one or two within a 2 - 3 hour drive since I've been a member.

Not everyone is able to go to NHC - it sounds like a cool but expensive experience once you lump in travel, lodging, etc. I'd love to go to one eventually.

For me, I get entry to the NHC competition and Zymurgy. I'm fine with the AHA being our lobbying group, but it's hard for me to come up with a LOT of reasons for someone to drop money on a AHA membership. It generally comes down to individual preferences. Honestly, if it came to choosing between HBT membership vs AHA membership I'd go with HBT since I've learned everything about brewing through HBT.

 

[LabRatBrewer]

I haven't read too deeply in to this, but here they are fighting for lower excise taxes for small breweries. This would help more small breweries to open and survive:

http://www.brewersassociation.org/government-affairs/excise-taxes/federal-excise-tax-overview/

 

[RandallFlag]

I don't think anyone mentioned this, but it also allows you early ticket purchase for GABF and access to the members only session. I live in Denver, so that is the #1 reason I have it, but this thread does outline the other perks.

Is it difficult to acquire tickets for the GABF? I've never been so I have no frame of reference if this would be a "benefit" or not.

 

[blizzard]

Is it difficult to acquire tickets for the GABF? I've never been so I have no frame of reference if this would be a "benefit" or not.

They sell out very quickly, even for members. Membership improves the odds, since you can try to buy at the member's ticket release and at the regular release. That said, I haven't done it, but I believe you can walk up to the convention center shortly after a session starts and buy tickets at a reasonable price from a scalper that wasn't able to unload them.

 

[compumasta]

... limit to 15 gallons per year for homebrewing!

You almost remembered correctly, and fortunately the situation is not quite that bleak. Its 15 gallons per 3 month period, so 60 gallons a year. For a single person, probably ok, but people are going to need to band together and share to make it work for groups. Perhaps obviously, dry counties do not have to abide by this and home-brewing is still banned in those places.

Sauce: http://blog.al.com/wire/2013/05/gov_robert_bentley_signs_home.html

By the way, I joined HBT just to post this. Hello everyone!

 

[Phunhog]

I haven't read too deeply in to this, but here they are fighting for lower excise taxes for small breweries. This would help more small breweries to open and survive:

http://www.brewersassociation.org/government-affairs/excise-taxes/federal-excise-tax-overview/

Personally I hope our dues are NOT going to support this. It has nothing to do with homebrewing and our rights. Maybe Yooper can fill us in on how our membership dues are spent.