[Twohavensbrewing]

We’re looking to pour beer possibly at a festival or other venue. What can we legally do and where are good places to look to find options? We don’t care about selling as primary interest is to get more feedback especially from general public so we thought we may have some options legally if taking out the sale component. We’re on Long Island, NY in case it makes any difference due to laws in NY. Thanks in advance. Cheers!!

[goose]

Read this first.  https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/homebrewing-rights/statutes/new-york/

Under federal law that legalized homebrewing in 1978, homebrewed beer is not taxed.  As outlined in the above link, you cannot sell homebrewed beer in New York.  The federal law, PL 95-458, allows homebrewed beer to be taken to things like competitions or conventions (like Homebrew Con).  But NY might have a different idea on having both homebrewed beer and commercially produced beer available at the same time and at the same venue, such as a beerfest.  You will need to check with your state's department of liquor control to be sure.

My take on this is if there are any doubts whatsoever about serving homebrew free of charge at a beerfest, don't do it.  Better yet, if you want to obtain feedback from people on your beers, enter them in a BJCP competition.  You will get more complete feedback on them and you will not risk violating any state laws.