It's illegal, but there are a couple of LHBS in business in the state. The best one by all accounts in AlaBrew in Pelham (just south of Birmingham - a 2 hr drive for you). I've been there and the folks are knowledgeable in a, well, kinda grumpy way.
Free the Hops is, in fact, doing the Lord's work in Alabama. They just finally passed a brewery modernization act that allows breweries to open in any (wet) county in Alabama. Before, the county had to have had a brewery in operation before prohibition. It also allows for taprooms - something that might have saved Huntsville's Olde Towne (although probably not - their beer was really average IMO).
I've been brewing for only 6 months or so, but I've talked to folks who've brewed considerably longer - and no hassles from the police. They only documented case I know of is a homebrewer who was also distilling (which they REALLY don't like).
Good luck!