Homebrewing is the brewing of beer, wine, sake, mead, cider, perry and other beverages through fermentation on a small scale as a hobby
for personal consumption, free distribution at social gatherings,
amateur brewing competitions or other non-commercial reasons. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be made at home. While legality of homebrewing varies from country to country, most allow homebrewing, some countries limit the volume an individual can legally brew. Fewer countries allow distillation of alcohol. Homebrewing, or craftbrewing was (just) legalized in Oklahoma in May of 2010. (Who knew I was an outlaw-brew-monkey all those years? Prior to this bill becoming law anyone caught brewing beer at home could have faced a fine of up to $5,000 This law was rarely, if ever, enforced.) On May 10, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry signed HB 2348, legalizing homebrewing in the state. Oklahoma law already allowed for the home production of wine and cider, but until now excluded beer. House Bill 2348, sponsored by Representative Colby Schwartz and Senator Mike Schulz, officially legalized the home production of beer for personal use in Oklahoma. Home production of wine and cider for personal use was already legal in Oklahoma. The passage of HB 2348 leaves Alabama and Mississippi as the only remaining states where the homebrewing hobby is not yet legal. The U.S. government made homebrewing legal on a federal level in 1979. House Bill 2348 allows Oklahomans
to brew up to 200 gallons, or about 80 cases, a year for their personal
use. They must get a permit from the state’s liquor agency, just as
people who make wine or cider do now. Beer made for personal use is
not be subject to excise tax. So a thank you goes out to Colby Schwartz and Mike Schultz. Also a big thanks goes out to Gary Shellman; Gary Shellman, AHA member and and editor for one of Oklahoma City’s homebrew clubs, the High Plains Draughters, initiated the legalization process and working tirelessly to ensure the bill's passage. Shellman spent months lining up a sponsor for a homebrew bill. He kept up with the bill through out the process, advising the bills sponsors and reporting on the bill's progress to the American Homebrewers Association staff and Oklahoma homebrew club members. You do need to fill out a permit (no cost) and send it off to the ABLE Commission to be in compliance with the law. So, now you know it's legal, how the heck do you do it? See boot-up to the left. |
|
|
Homebrew |