Quasi-legal question about homebrewing in Michigan

[Langecrew]

While Michigan is more lenient than many other states on gifting homebrew, and taking it out of the home (say, to your boat, campsite, cottage, etc), it is very clear that "homebrewing" is to be done in the home.

Statute 436.1207

(b) Beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider of any alcoholic content made on the premises by the owner or lessee of those premises provided those premises are used and occupied by that owner or lessee as a dwelling and the beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider is made for family use and home.

So, you see, the "dwelling" part of that is very clear.

Yooper, sir, thank you for your reply. It kinda made me wake up and be all like, "crap...I really do need to look into this stuff."

Since you're in Upper Michigan I'll say, it's a shame we didn't cross paths at the Brewer's Guild festival in Marquette; it was an awesome time. Maybe next year

 

[butterpants]

I bet a non brewing cop would automatically assume it was some kind of meth lab stuff.

Until you drank some. Even methheads don't screw with batch funk

 

[Clonefan94]

I understand and respect what you are saying. Not to get all philosophical but I always defer to my moral compass and ask "Is this action/inaction going to hurt someone or clearly immoral?" Rather just say it's the law. Wow!! that's deep

Oh, I agree and do respect that ideology. I didn't mean to sound all goody-two-shoes, brewing is just one of those things I feel like the law is pretty forgiving on already. So, I'll follow that so some Bible thumper doesn't get all up in arms about how homebrewing is degrading the moral fabric of our nation.

 

[orangehero]

A call from a neighbor doesn't mean the cops can search your home. That doesn't even make any sense. They can show up and ask to come in, but unless they see a meth lab when you open the door they don't have the power to do anything else. They need a warrant from the judge for that.

 

[Phunhog]

I'm confused.. Are you saying that Christians, I'm sorry.. bible thumpers don't imbibe or homebrew? Are you saying you only follow the law because you are worried what a 'bible thumper' might say? Your last sentence was not only unnecessary, but a bit telling. If you really wanted to get anti religion at least pick one that doesn't have a long history of being the one's who actually had all the alcohol as it was considered a gift from God.. Or one where consuming alcohol might actually be considered immoral, because there are some, but Christianity isn't one of them.

Call me crazy.. I don't give a rip what anyone or any group thinks about what I do. What I care about is if I am violating a law for the fact that I may get fined or arrested.

Hey guys we don't talk about religion in this forum. We do talk about homebrewing laws. Cervid if you are worried about violating a homebrewing law and suffering consequences.... let's just say the laws are not and never have been actively enforced.

 

[BeerGrylls]

Yooper, sir, thank you for your reply. It kinda made me wake up and be all like, "crap...I really do need to look into this stuff."

Since you're in Upper Michigan I'll say, it's a shame we didn't cross paths at the Brewer's Guild festival in Marquette; it was an awesome time. Maybe next year

Nice response, but Yooper ain't a sir..

 

[mcmeador]

SUVs & vans don't work because it's part of the "passenger area". Hatchbacks are the same. I can put one in the back of my Prius, but it is accessible.

I suppose a truck with a shell would be ok. Lots of UV to worry about though.

I think the prosecution would have a hard time arguing that a full 5-gallon container is "accessible" to you while driving regardless of whether or not it's within reach. Are you going to reach back and grab it and take a swig out of it?

 

[Langecrew]

Guys......GUYS.

Let's not continue to get off topic here. Yooper provided some legit info. In my book, that's plenty worthy of saying, "Thank you, sir." in some form or another.

Especially after talking to a lawyer this week, my brew buddy and I have decided to remain conservative about our ambitions and to not go forward with renting an offsite workspace for our hobby.

If my buddy and I really do want to enter the realm of commercial brewing someday, we'd like to keep things as legit as possible. We're not going to try to game the system and brew in a rented space, only to bring fermenters home to pitch yeast. Honestly a decent idea that we had not thought of, but we shouldn't be so adventurous, in all prudence.

Again, to my honest surprise, this post has yielded some cool and interesting responses. I'm still quite enthused to see what my friend and I can accomplish over time.

In any case, no doubt, this will be awesome!

 

[MarcusKillion]

Happy brewing . happy drinking . and you need a bigger house .