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Author Topic: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...  (Read 7460 times)

Offline yugamrap

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Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« on: November 18, 2009, 11:21:25 am »
I'm going to visit family in Oklahoma for Thanksgiving, and they've asked whether I'll be bringing some beer.  When they visited me this summer, we (16 of us) wiped out a corny keg of cream ale in one afternoon - so I don't think taking a couple sixers of bottles is going to get it done, and I'm thinking about taking a keg.  We'll be driving through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Oklahoma.

Is anyone aware of specific legal issues with transporting this quantity of 5.5% ABV beer packaged in this way across State lines?  I'm not selling it or distributing it - just taking it to my uncle's house for Thanksgiving.  I know it's likely that I'd "fly under the radar" anyway, but I'd like to know whether it's worth the bother.  I suppose I could bottle some beer off of my kegs, but I can move more beer in less space if it's in a keg.
...it's liquid bread, it's good for you!

Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #1 on: November 18, 2009, 11:39:17 am »
The only issue I see is that you have to stop at my house and I have to take scientific samples. Then I will decide if you can continue with your beverages or you have to leave them here.
 ;D
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Offline dirtyjerzey

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #2 on: November 18, 2009, 11:49:50 am »
You'll be fine....I think (could be way off) the reasoning for laws regarding moving alcohol across state lines is for taxation purposes, state A doesn't want you buying from state B for cheaper prices and taking it back to state A for consumption.  You're moving non-taxable homebrew that is still going to be self-consumed.....just don't bring anything 'else' with you and you'll be OK. 

You'd have to work pretty hard to get yourself searched and also have a soda keg brought into question.....or you could say it's just yeast nutrient and end the discussion  ;)




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Offline a10t2

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #3 on: November 18, 2009, 12:11:29 pm »
AFAIK dirtyjerzy is right. You're within your federal tax-exempt limit (or at least you'll say you are), so you should be fine legally. From a practical standpoint, I took a cornie from IN to NV a couple months ago and iced it down once we got there. No problem at all.

I guess someone should point out that homebrewing isn't illegal in OK, but it isn't explicitly legalized either.
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Offline beerocd

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #4 on: November 18, 2009, 04:53:25 pm »
AFAIK dirtyjerzy is right. You're within your federal tax-exempt limit (or at least you'll say you are), so you should be fine legally. From a practical standpoint, I took a cornie from IN to NV a couple months ago and iced it down once we got there. No problem at all.

I guess someone should point out that homebrewing isn't illegal in OK, but it isn't explicitly legalized either.

He's not homebrewing in OK, he's drinking homebrew in OK. Drive the limit on the way there - don't look guilty, don't display a rebel flag and don't look like a moonshiner. I think a cop would have to be having his worse day ever to find anything wrong with what you're doing. Tell em it's Microbrewed beer. It's only 5 gallons!

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Offline weazletoe

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #5 on: November 18, 2009, 07:09:33 pm »
I think the only real issue would be just like any other time you transport alcohol, open container. So, just keep the cobra and gas off the keg, and keep your red plastic cups in the trunk, I think you'll be good.
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Offline dcbc

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #6 on: November 19, 2009, 10:37:47 am »
If anyone asks, tell them it is for the purposes of a competition.  I don't know any specifics of the states in question, but in Texas, that reason for transport is written into the home brew law.
I've consumed all of my home brew and still can't relax!  Now what!

Offline slimsparty

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #7 on: November 19, 2009, 02:00:08 pm »
Just keep a low profile like these guys:


Offline a10t2

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #8 on: November 19, 2009, 02:05:21 pm »
Wouldn't this be more appropriate?

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Offline Thirsty_Monk

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #9 on: November 19, 2009, 10:28:15 pm »
Wouldn't this be more appropriate?


Where is the truck!!!
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Offline tubercle

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #10 on: November 20, 2009, 06:31:41 am »
Hire Cledus Snow aka Snowman. He'll get it there for ya.



Just avoid this guy....

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Offline bluesman

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #11 on: November 20, 2009, 11:07:39 am »
Otherwise these guys might have to come to your rescue. R.I.P. Captain Chaos.

...oh and one other thing...try not to drink it all before you get there.  ;D

Ron Price

Offline hamiltont

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #12 on: November 23, 2009, 10:17:20 am »

...oh and one other thing...try not to drink it all before you get there.  ;D


Just make sure you hide the picnic tap under the seat anyway...  :D
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Offline yugamrap

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #13 on: November 30, 2009, 08:28:52 am »
Well, I made it to OK and back to OH without incident.  I took a corny of Amber Ale and a couple fifths of limoncello.  I was right - the family wiped-out the whole keg over a couple days, and I brought it home empty.  I bought one of the small serving systems that uses the 16-ounce CO2 cartridges.  It worked great, and took just under 3 cartridges to serve the whole keg.
...it's liquid bread, it's good for you!

Offline neilrobinson

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Re: Traveling from OH to OK with kegged beer...
« Reply #14 on: November 30, 2009, 08:42:30 am »
Well just don't get pulled over and everything should be fine. A keg should be easier to explain than my fiasco with bottles.

I had given a bunch of friends my Anglo-American Honey Ale. Well some decided to give me back the bottles at once and away from my house. Needless to say I got pulled over and the cop seen the 3 empty six packs in the back seat and I was quickly given a sobriety test. I passed and then I had to take a breathalyzer test. I tried to explain I was a homebrewer, even showed my AHA membership card and that I was recycling the bottles. I finally got him to believe me when I passed the breathalyzer. Which he then proceeded to explain that I passed the recycling center about a mile back. ??