In what appears to be a pretty easy sell by Oregon home brewers of boutique beers, the Oregon Senate has approved a change in state liquor laws that currently makes it illegal for beer made at home to be taken beyond the front porch.
The little known law enacted in the Prohibition 1930s barred anyone making beer in their home from taking it off their property and could be charged with a serious offense if they did. Certainly if they tried to enter a beer brewers competition at the State Fair. The law was “discovered” last year which forced the cancellation of the competition at at the 2010 State Fair. The law also conjured up the notion that receiving a prize at such a competition or paying dues to a brewer’s club constituted payment for the brew triggering a license requirement from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
Well, all that appears to be fading away with the Senate’s passing of SB 444. The bill, which is now enroute to the House with numerous sponsors lined up to push it along, expands the exemption for homemade beer AND fermented fruit juice from the Liquor Control Act. Not only can hobby brewers and fermenters form dues paying clubs, they can also conduct tastings. They will also be allowed to receive a tax deduction or credit for donating beer, wine or fermented juice to a non-profit organization.
From being nearly outlawed to becoming a tax-duductible item, who says government can’t be responsive!?
Share on Facebook