The Legality of Testing Your Beer in Your Community

[Brewmegoodbeer]

I am curious about what it takes legally to be able to showcase your home brew at festivals and beer events before you actually open a brewery. I am aware of breweries that test their market before they actually open their facility by doing tastings to show that their beer is good and to have people grow an interest. Other than legally obtaining your company name, what other licensing would you have to get? Im assuming that these brewers are still brewing out of their house.

 

[Gnomebrewer]

That all depends on where in the world you live........

 

[Sammy86]

I would go to the AHA website and check out your states laws they have them all there...if that doesn't help then I would go to the TTB and go from there

 

[Gnomebrewer]

I would go to the AHA website and check out your states laws they have them all there...if that doesn't help then I would go to the TTB and go from there

Only if the OP is American.

 

[Brewmegoodbeer]

Tampa area of Florida

 

[Brewmegoodbeer]

.........

 

[Homercidal]

I can't speak for Florida, but I've served 5 gallons of my homebrew along with some other brewers at a Craft Beer Festival in Traverse City, MI. People sampling the beer had to sign up as potential members of the TC Homebrew Club before they could taste. I believe this put them under the umbrella of legally being able to evaluate beer as club members.

The tasting was a competition and they had festival-goers vote for the beer they liked the best.

 

[Yooper]

Tampa area of Florida

The best place to start for a general overview is here: https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/homebrewing-rights/statutes/Florida/

It's important to check in your location, as laws vary widely. In some cases, it's illegal to even take homebrewed beer out of your "home", to take to your campsite or to transport it. In some states, you are limited to giving away a 6 pack per year. In some states, you can't give it away at all, only serve it in your home to guests and family members.

Where I live, I can give away 20 gallons per year to one individual. I can transport it to public competitions. In some states, this is not allowed.

 

[Blurryface]

Homebrew clubs pour at various beers related events around the Tampa area. In many cases event coordinators will invite clubs to pour. My suggestion is to contact one for more information.

 

[ericbw]

Like someone said, take a look at the AHA website. You probably need a license as a brewer, and you might need a food safety license. You might have to brew in a commercial facility (like a culinary incubator or rental kitchen). I really doubt that you can brew at home and sell it. Also check out "cottage laws" for your state.

 

[m00ps]

There's also the option of collaborating with a local brewery. Anything you make under their roof they could distribute. I dont think you can get a share of profits, that part is a bit more hairy. But even if you just lugged all your equipment and ingredients there and brewed it with their help and permission, they could have it on tap.

 

[madscientist451]

The quick answer is yes, you can give away your beer. The Florida law specifically mentions "organized affairs" including "tastings".
So start your own homebrew club, get all the insurance and permits for an organized affair and let the tasting begin.
I'd contact the State Alcohol Beverage Control agency first, tell them what you want to do and go from there.
Another thing you could try is contacting all the homebrew clubs in your area and see if you could offer a tasting at their meetings. Offer to supply all the pizza and snacks for the meeting and you'll probably get a yes. Good Luck.