Alabama Homebrew Legalization

[v2comp]

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.

 

[brewagentjay]

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.

 

[431brew]

Any updates on this?

 

[rico567]

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......

 

[Starderup]

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.

 

[Sean]

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.

 

[Starderup]

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!

 

[vandeg]

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?

 

[LeeF]

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.

 

[DocBrown]

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.

 

[Starderup]

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?

Great idea. Call it Lobby Stout.

 

[431brew]

It's insane that one can legally buy/sell the equipment in this state but can't use it. I bought my first pieces of equipment from a homebrew store in Mobile.

 

[Symbiote]

If anybody is petitioning or needs help in swaying a particular legislator, please p.m. me.

I want to help.

 

[v2comp]

we are in a holding pattern at the moment, we were led to believe that certain conversations were taking place by our sponsor and the "other" interested parties and that the best course was to let the sponsor handle it. we are all anxious, but seeing that there is really nothing going on until next January, there is really nothing to do. thanks for the help, and I am sure you will be hearing from us after the beginning of next years Legislative session.
thanks again.

 

[BendBrewer]

I just heard that Alabama is close to passing Medical Marijuana but you still can't home brew?!?!?!?!?

Is that true?

 

[Orthobrewsky]

One thing you should understand about my home state: it has a small problem with being stuck in the 30's. The income tax system was set up in the 30's, so a single mother of 2 making $7000 a year will pay income tax. On the bright side, the taxes are, overall, pretty low.

A few years ago, I think it was during the Kerry/Bush contest, we saw a little public referendum item on the ballot proposing the legalization of blacks and whites getting married. I'm proud to say that it passed, while I'm a little embarrassed that it was only by about a 2/3 majority. Still, if we managed to change that unenforceable law, perhaps we can change another one soon. Our anti-homebrew statute was written, of course, in the 30's. In Alabama, we have a saying: "thank God for Mississippi." In a pretty reliable fashion, they keep us from being 50th in things like adult literacy and from being first in things like our obesity rate. It's coming down to the wire between us and them on who gets to be the last state in the union to legalize homebrewing. After listening to some of the "debate" in our house of representatives, I'm a little nervous about the outcome of this particularly important contest with Mississippi.

I found out this week that one of the sponsors of the bill to legalize my hobby was my local representative who lives in my own neighborhood. I can't say I know him any more than through the friendly exchange of waves occasionally when I am walking to work and he is driving to his job. Sadly, this heroic bill sponsor was among the several co-sponsors who inexplicably switched sides and voted against it. Actually, there are explanations involving pressure from Anheuser Busch and/or the Baptists, though he has not admitted to such explanations. I haven't decided what to do about this yet, but it's nice to know where he lives.

 

[Starderup]

Being stuck in the 30's is not a small problem. Georgia is stuck in the 60's, maybe 70's tops. Even that is a big problem, seeing as that was 40 to 50 years ago.
Best of luck, buddy. You got my support. Someone, possibly in this thread, suggested a public demonstration to protest the law. The idea was to brew in Alabama, bring the wort across the Georgia state line, and pitch the yeast. I'd be in.

 

[Orthobrewsky]

Being stuck in the 30's is not a small problem. Georgia is stuck in the 60's, maybe 70's tops. Even that is a big problem, seeing as that was 40 to 50 years ago.
Best of luck, buddy. You got my support. Someone, possibly in this thread, suggested a public demonstration to protest the law. The idea was to brew in Alabama, bring the wort across the Georgia state line, and pitch the yeast. I'd be in.

Ah, the 60's and 70's bring back fond memories. Actually, I lived in Georgia then.

Yes, our problem is not small; I just think I sound cool when I say something by way of understatement.

That sounds like a nice idea for a protest. I live pretty close to the state line, so it might be convenient for me. Of course, I will only submit to anonymous interviews with the press. You've probably heard of the case in which an interviewed homebrewer received a threatening visit from Alabama Beverage Control.

 

[431brew]

Does anyone have any recent news pertaining to this?

 

[homebrewdad]

No new news. I expect there won't be until the spring.

 

[Jedavis]

On February 7th the 2012 regular session of the Alabama legislature began. There is a homebrewing legalization bill that will be filed in the next few days. Once I know the bill number I will post it.

For more info you can visit this website: www.alahomebrewing.org
Or www.freethehops.org
The second on is more for beer laws in general but you can find info on all the state representatives.

 

[Jedavis]

On February 7th the 2012 regular session of the Alabama Legislature began. There is a homebrewing legalization bill in the works rights now a will be filed very soon. Once there is a bill number I will post it.

A couple of good websites: www.alahomebrewing.org
www.freethehops.org ( this one is more about beer laws in general but you can find info on how to contact a state representatives and how they voted in the past)

 

[CGVT]

This was the latest that I saw:

Legislative session begins Feb 7th. Representative Mac McCutcheon will again sponsor the Alabama Homebrewing Bill in the House. There will not be a Senate House version of the bill. The House of Representatives is the most difficult to pass for this type of legislation, so we are starting there. Senate and both house committees should pass relatively easily.

Since last years defeat, the bill has been reworked to include language required by the ABC Board, some restrictions that the ABWA wholesaler lobby wants clarified, and some social issues that were insisted upon by opposing legislators and prohibition groups. The text of the bill will be released soon and the initial draft version will probably be posted online at the official site http://www.alahomebrewing.org.

Some of the new provisions being drafted:
   15 gallon production limit per quarter (= 60 gallons per calendar year)
   NO possession quantity limit per household
   NO license requirement
   Homebrew will still be technically prohibited to possess in dry areas
   Homebrew competitions will be allowed
   You can transport homebrew and give it away as gifts
   An outstanding issue will be the exemption to take homebrew into a licensed establishment for a homebrew club tasting
   There may still be issues with offering homebrew at beer festivals

But...

Check this out.

I'm not holding my breath. What a bunch of ignorant idiots.

 

[mtbcoach]

Unbelievable, sorry to see such proceedings going on in this country. Good luck...

 

[wailingguitar]

Even the idiots are going to have a hard time arguing that it is a bad thing if the president has been serving homebrew at the Whitehouse!

 

[VTDuffman]

Even the idiots are going to have a hard time arguing that it is a bad thing if the president has been serving homebrew at the Whitehouse!

In Alabama? Better keep the president out of it if you want the thing to pass.

 

[homebrewdad]

Alabama's legislature is a perfect example of the Peter Principle... or, in layman's terms, that the s*** floats to the top.

60 gallons per year? WTH is that? I probably would not exceed this, but that means I can only make one batch per month. Lame.

 

[wailingguitar]

In Alabama? Better keep the president out of it if you want the thing to pass.

Look at the video... Most of the opposition was from those of his party, the bill was sponsored by a Republican.

 

[homebrewdad]

Look at the video... Most of the opposition was from those of his party, the bill was sponsored by a Republican.

Trust me when I tell you this - party means nothing in our state legislature. It's one huge cesspool of shockingly uneducated sleazeballs looking to work the most personally lucrative backroom deals.

 

[431brew]

Makes it hard to be optimistic with that big of a gap between the yeas and nays. Also, no way to dispute the ignorance of their concern of regulating how much is brewed. We are so far behind the others states. I only live about 2 miles from GA where it is legal.