16 replies to this topic

[brewhead]

Boulder, CO • March 25, 2009 – Yesterday, Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. of Utah signed into law legislation that makes homebrewing beer legal. The "Exemption for Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing License" was sponsored by Representative Christine A. Johnson and made Utah the 46th state to legalize homebrewing. The US Government made homebrewing legal on a federal level in 1978. Since then all but four states; Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Oklahoma have made homebrewing legal."Home-brewing is a healthy and vibrant hobby in Utah as evidenced by the outpouring of support HB 51 received in the 2009 Legislature," commented Rep. Christine A. Johnson. "Many thanks to the American Homebrewers Association for thorough education, great committee testimony and association members who flooded elected officials with emails of support."But it's not just homebrewers who are excited about the change. Jennifer Talley, brewmaster for Squatters Pub Brewery/Salt Lake Brewing Co in Salt Lake City, says the relationship between professional and amateur brewers has always been a tight one and legalizing homebrewing will allow this relationship in Utah to evolve and grow."Homebrewing is truly an art and most professional brewers I know were once homebrewing in their kitchen. Utah beer enthusiast will now have the freedom to express their deepest beer desires through perfecting the craft of homebrewing in their own kitchens," says Talley.The American Homebrewers Association estimates that there are approximately 750,000 homebrewers in the United States, including 7,000 homebrewers residing in Utah. Utah is the only state to have legalized homebrewing in the last ten years."With the successful passage of HB 51, Utahns can confidently assemble into homebrew clubs and organize competitions," states the Utah law student Douglas Wawrzynski, who launched this most recent attempt to legalize homebrewing. "Utah homebrewers are finally free to relax, stop worrying, and have a legal homebrew.""It has been an honor to work with the homebrewers of Utah to help legalize homebrewing in their state," says Gary Glass, Director of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA). "I can think of no greater cause for the American Homebrewers Association to take on than ensuring all Americans can legally brew at home."There is currently an active movement to legalize homebrewing in Alabama, and the AHA has heard from homebrewers in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Oklahoma who are interested in starting movements in each of those states.

[Bearphin]

Good for Utah!! Finally got their stuff together.Quite a year for them. They also changed their normal bar laws so you dont have to buy a "membership" to buy a drink in a bar!!Hopefully Alabama will be next although I wont hold my breath!

[stangbat]

Holy crap, that is awesome. If it can be legalized in Utah, then there is hope for the last few remaining states.

[Mashman]

Sweet,thats one more state I can live in.Mashman

[Stout_fan]

Sweet,thats one more state I can live in.Mashman

That's thinking positively!

[rockon]

Good news for Utah. Maybe those last four states can make the leap into this century.

[BrianBrewerKS]

I know there are homebrew shops in Oklahoma...and quite a few homebrew groups that are easily found online.Those rebels. They're breaking the law. What a bunch of trailblazers.

[DaKine]

I didn't realize it was illegal in 10% of the states. Good move Utah!

[buzhazzard]

[big harry deehl]

Yeah, us Alabamians are trying to emerge from the stoneage...... still.Our Homebrew Legislation was passed out of the Senate Comittee on a 7-0 vote yesterday. Now lets see if it makes it to the Senate floor. We are trying to leave the knuckle dragging rep we have behind......

[japh]

Sweet,thats one more state I can live in.Mashman

I still wouldn't want to live there, but it's very good news

[Hooperjetcar]

Yeah, us Alabamians are trying to emerge from the stoneage...... still.Our Homebrew Legislation was passed out of the Senate Comittee on a 7-0 vote yesterday. Now lets see if it makes it to the Senate floor. We are trying to leave the knuckle dragging rep we have behind......

But that still doesn't address homebrew. That is just to repeal the 6% and volume laws for commercial beer. It's a great start, but there is a long way to go still. Worst of all, once the commercial legislation is passed, the homebrew movement will loose a lot of people who want to drink better beer, but have no desire to homebrew. Oh wellAnd to Utah, Damn, that's one less state that can share in our embarrassment, bastards.

[Mashman]

First off I love southern Utah, its one of the most beautiful areas on this planet IMHO. Second, when the mormans legalize homebrewing before your state WOW. Mashman

[Dave]

If we ever get up to speed beer-wise here in Alabama I'll be happy....especially if we get there before Mississippi!

[brewhead]

homebrew laws are still rather laughable here in sc. though it is legal the decision that was handed down makes me thing these morons don't really understand beer:

State Attorney General Opinion No. 2529 states that:"The provisions of Section 4-201 declare that all beers, ales, porter and other similar malt or fermented beverages containing not in excess of five per cent alcohol by weight are nonalcoholic. No statute has been found which states that beer with alcoholic content less than five per cent by weight cannot legally be made for home use."

which is fine - i just find it amusing.

[Darterboy]

But that still doesn't address homebrew. That is just to repeal the 6% and volume laws for commercial beer. It's a great start, but there is a long way to go still. Worst of all, once the commercial legislation is passed, the homebrew movement will loose a lot of people who want to drink better beer, but have no desire to homebrew. Oh wellAnd to Utah, Damn, that's one less state that can share in our embarrassment, bastards.

Alabama bill SB492 DOES specifically deal with homebrewing. This is a different piece of legislation than the Gourmet Beer bill.

[Steve Gruver]

It's about time! Why can't the other states get with it?