Finally! All 50 states have legalized homebrewing!
Last month, I was happy to announce that Mississippi
became the 49th state to legalize homebrewing here, and post an in-depth interview with the director of the
American Homebrewers Association, Gary Glass, here. This month, it’s Alabama’s turn!
This is a happy day for the ongoing fight for independence
in the world of brewing. Congrats go to
everyone who was a part of the movement including the American Homebrewers
Association, the Right to Brew grassroots team, legislators, Representative Mac
McCutcheon, and Senator Bill Holtzclaw. As soon as we get
Oh, and there has been the launch of another site based on sharing homebrew recipes today as well! It's called The Brewer's Barrel here.
Let’s continue to fight the power one brew at a time.
Cheers!
Ale
Boulder, CO • May 8, 2013 – The American
Homebrewers Association (AHA) is pleased to announce the Alabama
legislature has passed a bill that, once signed by Governor Robert J. Bentley,
will effectively legalize homebrewing throughout the state. Alabama will
be the last state in the nation to legalize homebrewing.
"Homebrewing has been an integral part of the
history of America, so it’s thrilling to know that soon all 50 states will
support this growing hobby and long-standing tradition," said Gary Glass,
director, American Homebrewers Association. "We appreciate the backing of
all of the homebrewers, the dedicated grassroots efforts of Right to Brew and
the legislators who have worked so diligently to make homebrewing a reality in
Alabama. We are especially grateful to Representative Mac McCutcheon who
introduced this bill and has fought long and hard for its passage, along
with Senator Bill Holtzclaw."
Alabama is the last state holding out against legalizing
homebrewing. In March 2013, Mississippi became the 49th state
to pass homebrew legislation. The AHA has been working with Right to Brew for
five years in order to get the Alabama bill passed.
Homebrewing became federally legal in 1979, though the
21st Amendment predominantly leaves regulation of alcohol to the states.
Therefore, even though homebrewing is federally legal, it is up to individual
states to legalize homebrewing in state codes. Once the Alabama bill is signed
by Gov. Bentley, it will be the first time since pre-Prohibition days that
homebrewers in all the states can legally brew at home.
The hobby of homebrewing has seen exponential growth in
recent years. The AHA estimates that more than one million Americans brew beer
or make wine at home at least once a year. Alabama is home to an estimated
5,000 homebrewers who will soon enjoy brewing without the restrictions of a
state-wide ban.
About the American Homebrewers Association:
The American Homebrewers Association has worked on behalf
of the homebrewing community since 1978 and celebrates a membership of more
than 37,000 homebrewers. The American
Homebrewers Association (AHA) organizes events including the National Homebrewers
Conference andNational Homebrew Competition. The AHA also publishes Zymurgy magazine. The AHA is part of the Brewers
Association, whose Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher
of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and
homebrewers.
Beer lovers and anyone interested in making their own
homemade beer are invited to learn more at HomebrewersAssociation.org.
Follow the AHA onTwitter,
and join us on Facebook.
The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer
and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender,
religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or
marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order
11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of
Labor.
