Talking Points on Legalizing Homebrewing by Gary Glass of the AHA

This is from Gary Glass of the American Homebrewers Association. Everyone please read, and feel free to use these points in your communications with legislators. If you’re only looking at the homepage and you see the “read more” link below, click the link to see all the talking points.

Talking Points on Legalizing Homebrewing

Homebrewing has a long history in American tradition.

• Beer had been brewed in peoples homes since the dawn of agriculture several thousand years ago.
• In colonial times, homebrewing was a common household practice, typically performed by women.
• Many of the Nation’s founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were homebrewers.

Legalization

• Homebrewing was Federally legalized in 1978 for the first time since prohibition made it illegal in 1919.
• Homebrewing is currently (as of February 2008) legal in 45 states.

How Many Homebrewers Are There in the United States?

• It is difficult to estimate, but the AHA uses a very conservative figure of at least 500,000 Americans that brew beer at home at least once a year.
• There are currently over 16,000 members of the American Homebrewers Association.

Homebrew is safe.

• There are no known pathogens that can survive in beer.
• The brewing process is safe. Unlike distilling, homebrewing does not involve the production of flammable liquids and does not involve high pressures.

Who are homebrewers (based on answer to AHA Demographics survey)?

• American homebrewers come from a diverse array of backgrounds, however, there are some common traits.
• A majority of homebrewers have technical or professional occupations.
• They are well educated, with the vast majority having college degrees.
• Most homebrewers fall into the middle to upper-middle class income range.
• The majority of homebrewers are married.

Why do Americans Homebrew?

• The number one reason for brewing among AHA members is that they like the creative/artistic aspects of homebrewing. Creating a well crafted beer at home is much like cooking a gourmet meal at home.
• The number two reason for brewing among AHA members is that they like the scientific aspects of brewing. The process of brewing beer involves biochemistry and thermodynamics. Many brewers also build some of their own equipment, which can involve metallurgy, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Homebrewers are Responsible Consumers of Alcohol.

• For homebrewers, who have a deep knowledge of the ingredients of beer and the brewing and fermentation process, the primary reason for consuming beer is to enjoy the diverse array of flavors and aromas that can be found in beer – they approach beer much like wine connoisseurs approach fine wine.
• Homebrewers are very well aware of the affects of alcohol and their personal limits. As a result are more responsible than most other consumers of alcohol.
• Homebrewers serve as examples to others for how to consume alcohol in a responsible manner.
• Homebrewers are the leading supporters of local small commercial craft breweries, which contribute jobs and tax dollars to their communities and which typically support charitable causes in their communities.

Legalizing Homebrewing will not Lead to an Increased in Underage Drinking.

• There are other forms of alcohol (e.g. sub-premium beer, malt liquor, fortified wine, sub-premium spirits) that are cheaper and much more easily attainable for minors currently available.
• Homebrewing requires a fairly substantial initial investment in equipment ($80-$120) that minors would be unlikely to want or be able to spend.
• The equipment is bulky and cannot be easily hidden.
• A single batch of beer takes a minimum of three weeks to produce, most take longer than that.
• Every batch of beer will take several hours of work to produce.

Why Allow Homebrew to be Used for Organized Events?

• The majority of homebrewers in the U.S. enter competitions.
• There are over 200 homebrew competitions held in the U.S. each year.
• Homebrew competitions are judged by certified beer judges.
• Judging provides feedback to homebrewers, which will help them improve their brewing skills.
• Judges go through a rigorous exam process to become certified beer judges (see www.bjcp.org for information on beer judge certification).
• Judging involves tasting very small samples (generally 1-2 oz per entry) of the beers entered.

Filed under: Legal Issues