Dear Brewers,
Alabama homebrewers need your help. Currently, there is a bill before the Alabama House of Representatives
which would finally remove a Prohibition-era restriction and legalize homebrewing in the state of Alabama. This bill was written by, and is being championed by the grass-roots effort of Alabama homebrewers and homebrew clubs. We have no paid lobbyist.
We have made remarkable progress this legislative session: Senate Bill 153, sponsored by Senator Larry Dixon, passed the Senate last month and has been sent to the House. The House Committee on Travel and Tourism held a public hearing of our bill earlier this month and those of us who attended felt the bill was received very favorably.
We’re hearing some rumblings from Montgomery, however, that some of the large wholesalers in the state are not fully behind our effort and that a few may even oppose it. This, of course surprised us, as it makes no sense from a business point of view. We feel they may just not understand the relationship between homebrewers and craft brewers and beer culture in general.
We are asking that you contact the distributors and wholesalers in the state of Alabama that handle your brands and help us educate them on the importance of homebrewers to a healthy craft-beer culture. Emphasize to them that legalized homebrewing in Alabama can only help their bottom line and would not threaten their sales or customers in any way. Politely urge them and their representatives in Montgomery to support SB153.
Please support the homebrewers who support you.
Stott Noble
Homebrewer
Vestavia Hills, AL
Home Brewing May Become Legal in Alabama
Written by Patrick Dever for the Auburn Plainsman
Alabama’s alcohol laws are changing again.
Legislation was approved in the Alabama Senate legalizing home brewing of beer, wine and mead.
Republican Sen. Larry Dixon of Montgomery sponsored the bill, even though he said he was not a home brewer.
“There are home-brewing clubs around the state,” Dixon said. “It’s their hobby. They don’t have a legal way to get their product to their tastings and their shows where they judge the best beer.”
Dixon said home-brewing clubs brought this issue to his attention.