[Ron756]

Anyone know anything about the "Free the Hops" organization?  I joined last year because it was only $20 and came with a $20 gift card I used for a cool t-shirt. 
I have been on their mailing list but haven't really looked at anything since.  Are they still active or a dead organization?

[tommymorris]

Anyone know anything about the "Free the Hops" organization?  I joined last year because it was only $20 and came with a $20 gift card I used for a cool t-shirt. 
I have been on their mailing list but haven't really looked at anything since.  Are they still active or a dead organization?

That is a state wide organization. They lobbied for changes to beer ABV limits and packaging laws. They also helped get home brewing legalized. I think they still exist and work on changes, but I don’t know how often or what their current goals are.

[Ron756]

Thanks.  I got an email today that looks like they are searching for new leadership.  (not that I am shopping, got to get a real job before I take on a fun one.)

[Drewch]

Alabama has some pretty asinine liquor & homebrewing laws; so there's plenty still to work on...

[majorvices]

Alabama has some pretty asinine liquor & homebrewing laws; so there's plenty still to work on...

Actually, it's not that bad now. It was terrible only a handful of years ago. There's still work that needs to be done on the commercial level, but homebrew is taken care of. FTH is kind of a moribund organization IMO

[Drewch]

Unless they've changed it in last year or so, it's still, strictly speaking, illegal to take your homebrew anywhere except a competition with a special event license (which cannot be issued to a location that already has any other alcohol license) from the ABC.  And you're limited to effectively one 5-gallon batch per month.

I wouldn't call that taken care of.

https://freethehops.org/resources/summary-of-alabama-homebrew-laws/

[Drewch]

Also - I couldn't tell from any of the articles whether FTH had a hand in the new Alcohol Delivery law (https://wbhm.org/2021/beer-and-wine-delivered-to-your-door-it-will-happen-soon-in-alabama/) or not.

[majorvices]

Unless they've changed it in last year or so, it's still, strictly speaking, illegal to take your homebrew anywhere except a competition with a special event license (which cannot be issued to a location that already has any other alcohol license) from the ABC.  And you're limited to effectively one 5-gallon batch per month.

I wouldn't call that taken care of.

https://freethehops.org/resources/summary-of-alabama-homebrew-laws/

I guess I stand corrected. I'm more concerned about brewery laws these days as opposed to homebrew laws. But the Brewer's Guild had the hand in the home delivery law. Not that anyone I know is using it (yet).

[BrewBama]

https://freethehops.org/resources/summary-of-alabama-homebrew-laws/

I didn’t know some of those laws. Thx for posting.

As far as FTH: I used to get emails all the time about events around the state. They were much more active than the AHA around here. …but I don’t hear from them anymore.

[majorvices]

https://freethehops.org/resources/summary-of-alabama-homebrew-laws/

I didn’t know some of those laws. Thx for posting.

As far as FTH: I used to get emails all the time about events around the state. They were much more active than the AHA around here. …but I don’t hear from them anymore.

Good opportunity for you or Tommy to step up.

[BrewBama]

I nominate Tommy.

[tommymorris]

If nothing changes, just know I tried my best

[majorvices]

Couple of Huntsville comedians on our hands here. lololol

[Drewch]

If nothing changes, just know I tried my best

I expect you have this sorted out within the next 19 months. 

But seriously tho, in fairness to FTH, their mission was to bring the craft beer revolution to Alabama, which they did. Homebrewing wd be kind of mission creep for them, but it's not illogical mission creep.

But if they really are "moribund", they shouldn't be accepting new memberships.

[Ron756]

Yea the laws are a little restrictive.  It also scuttles my idea for a brew on premises place...