We’ve seen some problems with legislation in the past affecting brewers, but this is just a sad story. A bunch of homebrewers in Oregon are being barred from showcasing their beer at the local fair due to an arcane rule.
An overlooked, 80-year-old statute that says Oregon home-brewed beer can’t leave the home has forced fair organizers to cancel the competition, which had 335 entrants last year, says Oregon Liquor Control Commission spokeswoman Christie Scott.
Brewers were reminded of the statute after the Oregon Department of Justice clarified the law for a pub seeking to serve home brew at an event, Scott says. “As long as this is the law, we have to enforce it,” she says, adding that the commission hopes to see the statute changed in time for the 2011 fair.
Oregon is a mecca for burgeoning breweries and brewers, and an event like this (300 people!) allows everyone to try a wealth of rare beers that may only be one-of-a-kind treats. The article also says that the same sort of thing happened in Michigan this past year, and guess who was responsible for the rule not being overturned…
Michigan law says homemade beer can travel, but not into the bars where clubs often meet. [Chris] Frey, of Saline, Mich., says the licensed bars that host such meetings, for now, can no longer host them.
“We realized we have put our hosts at risk,” he said.
Frey says state Reps. Douglas Geiss and Deb Kennedy, both Democrats, proposed a change that would have made tastings and competitions in bars legal. It died in committee this year after the liquor commission expressed opposition.
Nice job, liquor commission. The article also goes on to say that two other states, Alabama and Mississippi, actually have it in their rules that it is illegal to homebrew. Maybe now’s a good time to find out what the laws are in your state and make a difference if they’re not up to your liking. With beer becoming such a popular thing, even with stories lawmakers, now is definitely the time for craft beer to find some allies in the government. Amass, readers, amass!
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Deschutes Brewery in Bend, OR
