Home Distilling Bill in House of Representatives

[MikeFlynn74]

Homer

Have looked into distilling before, and I think it's still a bit troublesome for me. However, had I serious interest, no law would stop me from refining bit, just for the fun of it. I dont' drink hard liquor. Don't care for it, hurts me bad (ok, I'm a wuss, whatever), but the process is interesting, and that's usually all it takes to get me into a new hobby.

The amount of stuff it takes to get a bit of liquor is daunting.

Distilling is way easy- Easier and quicker than beer.

 

[Brewing Clamper]

Homer

Distilling is way easy- Easier and quicker than beer.

unless you're distilling a great beer! hmmm... hob goblin whiskey!

 

[TCHDNSD]

My wife and I go out to bars with a few of them every once in a while. Everybody is responsible, but nobody is screaming, "You had three beers over the last 3 hours! Give me your keys!"

I have attended "alcohol education classes", and what they teach is, every "normal" beer will contribute .02% BAC. Your body will burn .02 % alcohol per hour. Theoretically, if you drank 1 beer per hour you should have a BAC of 0%. By those same numbers, if you drank 5 beers in one hour, you should have a BAC of .08%. (.02 x 5 = .10 - .02)
Not only is 5 beers in an hour uncomfortable (unless you're in HS or college), there is no joy in it.

MADD is in it for the money. DUI arrests are to create a revenue stream. It is sad that people are killed by "drunk" drivers.
In my jaded view of the world, everything comes down to the money.


(end hijack)

 

[CBBaron]

I have attended "alcohol education classes", and what they teach is, every "normal" beer will contribute .02% BAC. Your body will burn .02 % alcohol per hour. Theoretically, if you drank 1 beer per hour you should have a BAC of 0%. By those same numbers, if you drank 5 beers in one hour, you should have a BAC of .08%. (.02 x 5 = .10 - .02)
Not only is 5 beers in an hour uncomfortable (unless you're in HS or college), there is no joy in it.
(end hijack)

2 things I just learned by doing some research about the stats you just cited.
1. It is very seldom that I would be considered impaired to drive in the US. I seldom drink more than 2 beers in an hour and even though these are usually much stronger than 4.5% at 220# I should be safe from a test.
2. Most countries with less restrictive drinking laws have much tighter driving standards. Germany and France both have 0.05% limits.

On topic. Distillation is complicated because you either have to buy small expensive stills and lie about their use or make you own. This is all due to being illegal in the US. If it were legal to home distill, stills would be larger, less expensive and easily available along with the instructions for their use in alcohol distillation. Ofcourse you probably could still make a better still for less but it does open up the market for less handy individuals to make their own.

Craig

Craig

 

[CBBaron]

Just checked. My representative is on the committee, however I doubt that is good news for the bill, but I did send a note of my support for it any ways.

Craig

 

[Don]

I actually got a response from my Congressman..
--------------------
Dear Don,

Thank you for contacting me with your views on H.R. 3949. I appreciate your comments, and I welcome this opportunity to update you on the status of this legislation.

As you may know, in 1978 Congress lifted the federal ban on home brewing beer and wine for personal use. Meanwhile, the prohibition on distilling spirits was kept intact, meaning amateur distillers can face both prison time and large fines. On October 23, 2007, Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan introduced H.R. 3949, which would repeal the prohibition on producing distilled spirits in specified locations, including houses, sheds, yards, and other enclosed areas. Shortly after its introduction, H.R. 3949 was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. This bill is currently going through the committee process, and it may change substantially before I have a chance to vote on it. As a result, I hope we can continue our dialogue as this legislation progresses through the legislative process.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your views with me. I need your input to make the best decisions possible, so please stay in touch!

Sincerely,

Brad Ellsworth

 

[MikeFlynn74]

Sent my letter today

 

[Jesse17]

I actually got a response from my Congressman..
--------------------
Dear Don,

Thank you for contacting me with your views on H.R. 3949. I appreciate your comments, and I welcome this opportunity to update you on the status of this legislation.

As you may know, in 1978 Congress lifted the federal ban on home brewing beer and wine for personal use. Meanwhile, the prohibition on distilling spirits was kept intact, meaning amateur distillers can face both prison time and large fines. On October 23, 2007, Congressman Bart Stupak of Michigan introduced H.R. 3949, which would repeal the prohibition on producing distilled spirits in specified locations, including houses, sheds, yards, and other enclosed areas. Shortly after its introduction, H.R. 3949 was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. This bill is currently going through the committee process, and it may change substantially before I have a chance to vote on it. As a result, I hope we can continue our dialogue as this legislation progresses through the legislative process.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your views with me. I need your input to make the best decisions possible, so please stay in touch!

Sincerely,

Brad Ellsworth

Wow! That's just amazing! I didn't know congressmen knew how to respond personally like that. I've never got anything other than a blanket form letter "Thanks for your comments..." type of response, from any congressman.

 

[Jud]

What is the status on this bill anyone know. I am not finding much.

 

[itsme6582]

It's long dead. Just like this thread. How did you dig this up? Did you hear something in the news?

 

[Jud]

Bill came up on Google search, linked to HBT.

 

[coryforsenate]

I'm sure the liquor industry spends millions of dollars every year lobbying to make sure home distilling is never legalized.