Honestly I think these guys just represent their constituents and are the result of their upbringing. Preachers pounding them about the evils of drink, and bootlegging stories of lead-laced or methanol-contaminated hooch are what these guys are familiar with. Plus theres some real truth to the idea that alcohol has detrimental effects on society, especially to poor people who are in abundance in AL. How does that relate to homebrew? It is obviously seen by them as a way to make cheap liquor.
Obviously there needs to be some simplification of the next bill. I'd do a few things based on the testimony we heard. First, I'd lower the amount to maybe 50gal and make sure someone points ou that this is like drinking one scotch a day for one person, and point out that beer is perishable and would not actually be accumulated but consumed as it is made. This would let homebrew shops open and who's going to count after that? Second, I'd leave out the word "mead" since obviously the average joe doesn't know what it is and we'll just refer to it as honey wine from now on. Third, I'd limit sales of homebrewing supplies to minors. Then there'd be no difference in the potential for kids to obtain homebrew versus any other liquor in the house.
Then I'd point out that making beer is not cheaper than buying commercial beer. I'd point out that Thomas Jefferson had his own brewery at Monticello (someone else made this point on the NB forum and I think it would carry some weight in a legislative body.)