Alabama Homebrew Legalization

[LeeF]

Contact your Representative and ask for their support on this bill. Contact your friends who we all know enjoy your beers because its free and ask that they contact their Representative and ask for their support on this bill. Call your grandmother and ask she contact her Representative or you may go to jail next time you brew.

Cheers,
Lee

 

[v2comp]

*sniffle* - I'm no longer a crook...there goes my street cred...



FINALLY!!!! :rockin:

So we need to plan a party where we all bring less than the allotted 20 gallons to celebrate.

I say we bring a friend and 40 gallons to the party....

 

[brewagentjay]

I say we bring a friend and 40 gallons to the party....

Yeah Baby!!!!!!!!!!:rockin:

 

[FreeM80s]

So we all need to have a party only bring less than 20 gallons each to celebrate.

How about we all just brew a simple 5gal brew, bring in kegs and have a huge hotel party. rent one of those banquet rooms. Birmingham work for everyone? I am sure between us brewers and our friends who enjoy our great beer we can get a large gathering. I'm going to start working on my alabama emancipation recipe...

 

[TheBeerNerd]

+1 on the party idea...

Thinking of renaming my pale "Amendment Ale"

 

[FreeM80s]

Next step: find your local reps and email them.
http://www.freethehops.org/legislative/ its easy to fid your local rep. shoot them an email or phone call. OR a fax. Faxes are much harder to ignore. Lets become a modern state guys


[edit] Make sure you say SB153. We have 2 laws trying to pass, but SB153 is for home brewers [/edit]

 

[brewagentjay]

So Does SB153 have to now pass the house? Damn so close.....

 

[brewagentjay]

Well I got some emails, faxes, and calls to make..............if that's the case.

 

[LeeF]

So Does SB153 have to now pass the house? Damn so close.....

Yes...It has only passed the senate. It now has to pass the house then it must get the governor's signature. Email your Representative asking for support. If it passes the house, email Riley's office asking him to sign the bill into law.

 

[TheBeerNerd]

Just emailed my representative. Here's what I said:

Rep. Demetrius C. Newton
Alabama State House, Room 516-D
11 South Union Street
Montgomery, AL 36101


Dear Rep. Newton,

I am writing to ask that you support SB153, The Homebrewing Legislation Bill.

Homebrewing is a hobby enjoyed by over 5,000 Alabamians statewide and nearly 750,000 nationally. It currently is classified illegal under Ala. Code § 28-1-1.

An outline of SB153 can be found here: http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/searchableinstruments/2010rs/bills/sb153.htm

The reason I ask you support SB153, is that I am a homebrewer who feels these laws are outdated and unnecessary. Homebrewing has long been a part of American tradition. In colonial times, homebrewing was a common household practice, typically performed by women. Many of the Nation’s founders, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, were homebrewers. Homebrewing was federally legalized in 1978 for the first time since prohibition made it illegal in 1919. It is currently legal in 47 states.

Homebrewers are well aware of the effects of alcohol and their personal limits, and as a result tend to be more responsible than most other consumers of alcohol. They have a deep knowledge of the ingredients of beer and the brewing and fermentation process. Their primary reason for consuming beer is to enjoy the diverse array of flavors and aromas that can be found in beer – they approach beer much like wine connoisseurs approach fine wine. Homebrewers serve as examples to others for how to consume alcohol in a responsible manner.
Many believe legalizing homebrewing will contribute to an increase in underage drinking. To the contrary, homebrewing requires a fairly substantial initial investment in equipment ($80-$120) that minors would be unlikely to want or be able to spend. The equipment is bulky, cannot be easily hidden and the process of brewing a batch of beer takes several weeks. There are other forms of alcohol currently available (e.g. sub-premium beer, malt liquor, fortified wine, sub-premium spirits) that are cheaper and much more easily attainable for minors.
Homebrewers have a close affinity with professional brewers, and are the leading advocates for supporting small local breweries. In doing so, they help to contribute to the state by purchasing locally produced beer, supporting local small businesses, which in turn employ local residents. They purchase ingredients from locally owned businesses, which also contribute to local tax revenue and employ local workers. Homebrewers are inclined to encourage their friends and family members who consume alcohol to likewise support local breweries.

I hope you can lend your support to this bill which is important to many Alabama residents. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Keith Martin
[address hidden]
Birmingham, AL 35205

If you don't know who to write, you can find out here. If your zip code has multiple districts, you can use this map.

Feel free to use my letter as a template and add to it, etc...

 

[Grimster]

Just emailed my representative. Here's what I said:



If you don't know who to write, you can find out here. If your zip code has multiple districts, you can use this map.

Feel free to use my letter as a template and add to it, etc...

DONE! Thanks!

 

[TheBeerNerd]

This may be off topic, but where is everyone from? I'm new to 'Bama...

Considering attending Suds of the South in a few weeks.

 

[Myrdhyn]

*sniffle* - I'm no longer a crook...there goes my street cred...



FINALLY!!!! :rockin:

So we need to plan a party where we all bring less than the allotted 20 gallons to celebrate.

Yes you are. Until this passes the house and the Governor signs it, we(those of us brewing in alabama) are all still crooks.

 

[v2comp]

This may be off topic, but where is everyone from? I'm new to 'Bama...

Considering attending Suds of the South in a few weeks.

Phenix City, AL

 

[Grimster]

Phenix City, AL

Just call it Huntsville, I'm .9 miles from the city limits in Madison County.

 

[Myrdhyn]

Huntsville here also.

 

[HBRunner]

Live in Monrovia, but really is Huntsville

 

[Grimster]

Live in Monrovia, but really is Huntsville

Harvest here, but no one knows Harvest, AL except people who live here but Huntsville is recognizable to most.

I got a reply from Phil (forget the last name) one of the two reps I emailed:

Thanks Gary. I have not read the bill. I will grab it and be ready. I do plan to vote for this and will unless there is something in the bill that is not good we might get it passed. I know the Senate passed it.
Phil

I replied:

Thanks! I hope we can get this passed, having homebrewing "technically" illegal is just another one of those things people use as an example of why Alabama is still a backwards hick state, and it's just silly regardless. As a proud lifelong resident of Alabama and a progressive conservative I support any measures that removes any negative stigma from our State.

Maybe we can work on this gambling fiasco next, so people aren't spending millions of hard earned Alabama dollars buying lottery tickets in Georgia and Tennessee and going to Mississippi to gamble. Keep that money here instead I say.

Thanks for your reply, it was refreshing to know that there is someone listening.
--
Gary Harris
Systems Admin
www.simplehelix.com

 

[v2comp]

next week should be a big week for us........contact your local representative and ask them to please support it once it comes out of committee.

 

[brewagentjay]

Moody, AL <-- Here........

 

[LeeF]

Huntsville also. Free The Homebrew.

 

[Blindguardian]

Cullman County here.

 

[LeeF]

Cullman County here.

I feel for you living in a dry county. Unfortunately, this bill will not make it legal for you to homebrew. But I'm guessing it has not stopped you so far.

You know a guy named Steve Land? Buddy of mine in Huntsville that grew up in Cullman.

 

[Blindguardian]

I feel for you living in a dry county. Unfortunately, this bill will not make it legal for you to homebrew. But I'm guessing it has not stopped you so far.

You know a guy named Steve Land? Buddy of mine in Huntsville that grew up in Cullman.

Yea it really sux to live in this backwards a$$ county we are so lost in time it is not funny. it is like living in 1950 around here.

let me say if I would have known this before I moved here I would have never done it!!!!!

 

[FreeM80s]

Also Huntsville. Go homebrew law!

 

[brewagentjay]

Anyone got an update on where our Bills stand?

 

[DocBrown]

It's been introduced into the House and is currently before the Tourism and Travel committee. The committee meets on Wednesday to vote on the homebrew bill (SB153). If you'd like to help, you can call, email, and/or fax the members of the committee today and tomorrow and ask them to vote yes on SB153. The list of committee members can be found here:
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/house/housecommittees.html#Anchor-TOURIS-47940

I'll post an update with phone numbers and email addresses in a while. Don't bother trying to call Warren Beck though. He died last week, and it probably wouldn't be prudent to call his secretary about a beer bill right now!

 

[brewagentjay]

Cool, Do we got any information on Brewery Mod Act Bill?

 

[HBRunner]

I emailed all of them, had 1 returned because his email was suspended....Thad McClammy.......so call him.....

 

[iShadrak]

Homewood (Birmingham) here.

Cool to see this gaining steam. Contacting my rep now.

I'm definitely in on the party when this thing finally closes.