Law

[mattd2]

No, but who is going to continually monitor their inoculated wort to check for legality. By the time the wort is confiscated and analyzed by a licensed laboratory, the ABV will be into beer territory.

It's easier and still practical to consider anything inoculated with yeast as being a fermented beverage for the sake of the law.

And for the purpose of this discussion I doubt you could sell a pitched wort to a minor, or to someone who lives where alcohol is not permitted, and claim innocence.

But you could argue that at the time you were not in possession of beer and can't be charged for that unless they prove that when you were caught it was above 0.5% (inocent until proven guilty). But the cops would not be trying to charge you with that, they would be charging you with the illegal production of a fermented beverage which you would have no defence agaist as by the time it is tested it would be beer proving your were making beer.

That would depend on the strain of wild yeast. Either way, don't dump it. Let it ferment and see how it turns out. I might be good.

I don't think that's what he meant

 

[ImNoExpert]

I don't think that's what he meant

Didn't he? Didn't he?

 

[Rhumbline]

The only thing I'll add to this is "You may be right, but it might still cost you $40,000 to prove it."

How important is being right?

 

[GHBWNY]

"The homebrew shops in my area all say that you must be at least 21 to shop there. I'm guessing the only reason they would place this requirement on shoppers is that they are convinced that the state law required them to limit sales to people who are of age."


Is your LHBS also selling bottled beer?

 

[Hamaki]

My LHBS has beer on tap and do not serve any food. I think that California generally considers that a bar, must be 21 to enter. They don't check IDs, though. First several visits with my young looking 21 YO son just to buy supplies I didn't think about it but one day they were busy so son & I had a beer while waiting. Still no ID check. Seemed kind of casual.