Homebrewing in public (Wisconsin)

[MetallHed]

Ok so I'm going to the Parks and Rec department tomorrow to pay for the pavilion and also ask about turkey fryer burners and beer on the premise.

As for the statute that Yooper posted, I'm going to print out the full version from http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/pages/government-affairs/statutes/wisconsin to have on hand for when we brew in case anyone tries to make a stink about us being there. I will also have the name and number of the person I talk to from the P&R department saying it was okay to drink beer and use turkey fryer burners. The pavilion we are at has built in grills and a brick outdoor fireplace so I don't think it'll be a problem, but I want a name and number to fall back on just in case.

It says in the statute that by definition, ""Fermented malt beverages" means any beverage made by the alcohol fermentation of an infusion in potable water of barley malt and hops, with or without unmalted grains or decorticated and degerminated grains or sugar containing 0.5% or more of alcohol by volume." And that is what they are referring to the entire statute. "The making of homemade wine or fermented malt beverages."

BUT, since we aren't adding yeast until we get home, we aren't fermenting anything. Which, to me, means that it isn't a "fermented malt beverage." It's just sugar water with hops. So wouldn't that exclude us from any threat of repercussions?

 

[GenIke]

That's the technicality that used here. my lhbs brewed with a 100 gallon pot in a mini mall parking lot without issue. People who showed up filled their fermenters with wort and added yeast on their own.

 

[Phunhog]

I would just say you are making non-alcoholic beer...which technically at that point you are. I can't imagine anyone would give you grief over that.

 

[woknblues]

Threads like this make my blood boil (maybe I will need a permit to boil my blood as well?!). Not anyone's fault here or any of the posts, just the spirit of it all.

 

[MetallHed]

Threads like this make my blood boil (maybe I will need a permit to boil my blood as well?!). Not anyone's fault here or any of the posts, just the spirit of it all.

Heh, yeah. It's pretty sad to have to jump through hoops just to have a good time not get shut down for BS reasons...

 

[MetallHed]

That's the technicality that used here. my lhbs brewed with a 100 gallon pot in a mini mall parking lot without issue. People who showed up filled their fermenters with wort and added yeast on their own.

Yep, I think we're good to go as far as brewing goes. Maybe if I do get "in trouble" by the police I can be a landmark case that will forever shape the future of brewing in public. lol. (Most likely they'll use me as an example and pass a law in all 50 states forbidding it.. 'Merica..)

I would just say you are making non-alcoholic beer...which technically at that point you are. I can't imagine anyone would give you grief over that.

Yeah I'm pretty confident we'll be fine. I'll keep the statute with definitions printed out just in case.

I paid for the pavilion and asked about beer: it's fine (even kegs). They're going to call me back about the propane burners, which I think would be fine since they already have a built in grill and brick fireplace at the pavilion.

 

[lunchbox]

Sometimes its better to ask for forgiveness, rather than permission.

Unless the cops make them pack up their gear in the middle of a mashout.