Alabamians For Specialty Beer

The Steps to Freeing The Hops Have Begun

FTH has introduced the Gourmet Beer Bill and the Homebrewing Reform Bill for the 2008 legislative session and the steps to their passage have begun. The Gourmet Beer Bill, as in years past, would allow for the sale of the best beers in the world in Alabama by lifting the 6% ABV restriction on beer. The Homebrewing Reform Bill would reform some of the restrictions on the homebrewing of beer, mead, cider, and wine.

The Gourmet Beer Bill

FTH has helped to introduce two statewide Gourmet Beer Bills before the Alabama legislature for the 2008 session: one before the Senate and one before the House of Representatives. Only one of these bills needs to pass both houses in order to allow the sale of the best beers in the world in Alabama.

Having two bills was a strategy recommended by our lobbyist. By having identical bills in both houses, debate on our issue can happen in either house at any point during the session, rather than being forced until late in the session when it might be eclipsed by other political matters. So we'll be going through the same process in both houses of the legislature at approximately the same time.

The Steps to Freeing The Hops via HB196*:

  1. Introduction of the Gourmet Beer Bill (HB196) - Complete!
  2. Pass the House Tourism & Travel committee - Complete!
  3. Pass the House floor - Complete!
  4. Pass the Senate Tourism & Marketing committee - Complete! (4/2/2008)
  5. Pass the Senate floor
  6. Signature by the Governor

*Note: HB196 has been amended such that the proposed limit is 13.9% rather than 14.9%. This change is not reflected on the Alabama Legislative website at this time.

The Steps to Freeing The Hops via SB116:

  1. Introduction of the Gourmet Beer Bill (SB116) - Complete!
  2. Pass the Senate Tourism & Marketing committee - Complete!
  3. Pass the Senate floor - Pending
  4. Pass the House Tourism & Travel committee
  5. Pass the House floor
  6. Signature by the Governor

Quite simply, whichever of HB196 or SB116 completes step 5 first will go to Governor Riley for a signature. He has already indicated a willingness to sign such a bill should it come before him. SB355 is our homebrewing bill, and is dealt with separately.

The Homebrewing Reform Bill

FTH has also introduced the Hombrewing Reform Bill this year which will reform some of the laws regarding the homebrewing of beer, mead, cider, and wine in Alabama. Specifically, the bill will allow for the holding of homebrewing competitions in Alabama, a practice that is common in other states.

FTH strongly supports the craft of homebrewing as every great brewer in the world started out as a homebrewer. Just as restauranteurs first test their recipes with their friends and family and in competitions, those who eventually become commercial brewers do the same. Many homebrew competition winners go on to open breweries of their own and craft excellent beer. Removing the restrictions from homebrewing is just one more way we can Free The Hops.

The Steps to Freeing The Hops via SB355:

  1. Introduction of the Homebrewing Reform Bill (SB355) - Complete!
  2. Pass the Senate Tourism & Marketing committee - Complete!
  3. Pass the Senate floor
  4. Pass the House Tourism & Travel committee
  5. Pass the House floor
  6. Signature by the Governor

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