[babalu87]

Really?

http://beervana.blogspot.com/2010/06/olcc-cancels-homebrew-contest-at-state.html

http://www.katu.com/news/97269679.html

SALEM, Ore. – Law enforcement officials are putting a stop to the home-brew and home-wine-making competitions at this year's Oregon State Fair.

[denny]

Yep, but we're on top of it.  Already have a committee working on getting the law changed, and have the backing of a couple state legislators.

[babalu87]

Yep, but we're on top of it.  Already have a committee working on getting the law changed, and have the backing of a couple state legislators.

In time for this year?

What about all the wine that is being sent back?

[denny]

Unlikely for this year, but you never know.  I had heard that the state fair was working with the DOJ and OLCC to find a way to make it happen.

[beerocd]

Were the kitchens inspected of all the pie makers? I'm sure there's compliance and sanitation and health certificates that are needed for food production too. It is after all being served to the public. It's a conspiracy.

[skyler]

The OLCC was the worst thing about living in Portland. What a Fascist Prohibitionist finger-wagging waste of legislative effort and taxpayer money those nanny state liquor control agencies are in most states. I say we do it like Belgium. Anyone can serve anything legal whenever they want in Belgium. Leuven is the only city there I know of that even prohibits outdoor drinking.

[denny]

Ya know, we're trying to get the OLCC on our side and show them what a fine group of people homebrewers are.  Name calling ain't gonna help....

[beerocd]

You really think they read our threads?

We recently had a farm in the area run into legal issues. The town would rather have the farm turned into some sort of development for the tax revenue. The farmer published the letters and contact info for the officials - ultimately the farm was allowed to continue it's business. I'm sure some of the letters we far from eloquent. All kinds of people are affected by government; aside from outright profanity or legal issues - they probably need to hear it.

Maybe AHA can provide contact info and the outrage can be directed there instead of turning this board into NC-17 material.

[a10t2]

Were the kitchens inspected of all the pie makers? I'm sure there's compliance and sanitation and health certificates that are needed for food production too. It is after all being served to the public. It's a conspiracy.

From what I'm reading, it doesn't seem like health code has anything to do with it. Serving homebrew to the public is illegal under OR state law - serving pie is not.

However, the Liquor Control Act does not apply to the making or keeping of naturally fermented wines and fruit juices or beer in the home, for home consumption and not for sale.

(emphasis mine)

Obviously I hope OR home brewers will lobby for a change in the language, but as it stands I don't see how you can fault them for enforcing the law.

[bonjour]

The AHA will step in, and I'm sure they have already, but they will ask for support and to contact the right people by Oregon voters when the time is right.  But Denny is right,  we want them to KNOW we are the good guys.

Fred

[denny]

You really think they read our threads?

Nope, I don't.  It's just that the attitude isn't productive and could even be counter productive.  The OLCC has said that they want to get the law fixed, not bust homebrewers, so name calling isn't necessary or helpful.

We recently had a farm in the area run into legal issues. The town would rather have the farm turned into some sort of development for the tax revenue. The farmer published the letters and contact info for the officials - ultimately the farm was allowed to continue it's business. I'm sure some of the letters we far from eloquent. All kinds of people are affected by government; aside from outright profanity or legal issues - they probably need to hear it.

Maybe AHA can provide contact info and the outrage can be directed there instead of turning this board into NC-17 material.

As I've said, we have a local group, including state legislators working on it, with support from the AHA.  There's a website (http://oregonhomebrewersalliance.org/) set up, although it's just been set up and there's no real content there at the moment.  Interested OR homebrewers can keep an eye on it for info on what needs to be done and when.  At this point, there's not much to be done beyond what the organizing committee is doing, which includes reviewing a draft of a bill written by a state legislator.  

And what's up with the NC-17 comment?

[beerocd]

And what's up with the NC-17 comment?

You called a foul with the namecalling; I didn't see anything heinous but I guessed it upped the board from PG to something higher. That's why I suggested aiming the correspondence to the legislators instead of here. You want PG-13? By the power vested in me....  

Oh, also there's nothing wrong with non-OR people voicing complaints too. Sure they can't vote, but they can also choose not to spend their tourist dollars there.


Edit: ooh, this is my evil 666 post. 

[denny]

And what's up with the NC-17 comment?

You called a foul with the namecalling; I didn't see anything heinous but I guessed it upped the board from PG to something higher. That's why I suggested aiming the correspondence to the legislators instead of here. You want PG-13? By the power vested in me....  

Oh, also there's nothing wrong with non-OR people voicing complaints too. Sure they can't vote, but they can also choose not to spend their tourist dollars there.


Edit: ooh, this is my evil 666 post. 

I simply said name calling wasn't helpful.  I didn't pass judgment on anyone's opinion. Sorry if I implied otherwise. 

[weithman5]

In some respects it may be a good thing that it is cancelled.  It brings the issue to the legislature so that the law can be improved and (hopefully) less restrictive.  Otherwise the law lingers and when someone wants to enforce it out of malice or just trying to be a busy body, you are hosed.  Hopefully next year all is well.  I do still miss Oregon. 

[bonjour]

don't you just hate these speed bumps