This isn't a solicitation for legal advice, but I'm curious how to properly interpret § 25.205 and the federal legal limit per household. I'm a layman, but I'm not expecting lawyers to hop in here and correct me - this is for discussion purposes.
In my case, I operate something of a group homebrewery with several distinct individuals or entities sharing the same equipment. Some beer is fermented on premises, some off.
My questions is the "production of beer per household" seems to apply to a physical domicile and the limits set forth related to the residents contained within. If I interpret that correctly, then I should theoretically have a 200 gallon limit per calendar year. If I include the beer that is made in house, but fermented/packaged and otherwise consumed in another household as part of my legal limit - it's possible I could be eventually headed for a theoretical violation of the law.
This interests me for several reasons - when is homebrew wine/beer considered to be alcohol for the purposes of law? Is it when the yeast is pitched? Is it when the yeast has completed fermentation? Is it at packaging?
Depending on when the law considers it an alcoholic product, I'm either assisting others in making beer or I'm just helping them make wort and they're making the beer at their house. It's an interesting distinction, but it has an impact.
Then I also wonder - accoding to the statute, is it even legal to "homebrew" beer outside of the home - ie a non residence?
I have a decent setup and we have a good group of people brewing, but I would theoretically be hesitant to invite others to join if it compromises our "legality".
Thoughts?
In my case, I operate something of a group homebrewery with several distinct individuals or entities sharing the same equipment. Some beer is fermented on premises, some off.
My questions is the "production of beer per household" seems to apply to a physical domicile and the limits set forth related to the residents contained within. If I interpret that correctly, then I should theoretically have a 200 gallon limit per calendar year. If I include the beer that is made in house, but fermented/packaged and otherwise consumed in another household as part of my legal limit - it's possible I could be eventually headed for a theoretical violation of the law.
This interests me for several reasons - when is homebrew wine/beer considered to be alcohol for the purposes of law? Is it when the yeast is pitched? Is it when the yeast has completed fermentation? Is it at packaging?
Depending on when the law considers it an alcoholic product, I'm either assisting others in making beer or I'm just helping them make wort and they're making the beer at their house. It's an interesting distinction, but it has an impact.
Then I also wonder - accoding to the statute, is it even legal to "homebrew" beer outside of the home - ie a non residence?
I have a decent setup and we have a good group of people brewing, but I would theoretically be hesitant to invite others to join if it compromises our "legality".
Thoughts?