Non-profit homebrew organizations like the AHA, the CHA, the Maltose Falcons, etc can officially hold ABC sanctioned fundraising events (2 per year) for their members.
The event must have an educational component
The homebrew that’s served is considered a donation
Signage abounds (e.g. - “hey, this is homebrew, unregulated stuff”)
Festivals that mix homebrew and commercial beer must have the two physically separated with barriers, monitoring and additional signage
No “day of” signups
Any fundraising event with more than 50 attendees will be required to notify the ABC 48 hours in advance with the number of attendees.
[quote]Q. Can “home brew” supply stores make homemade beer or wine for demonstration purposes?
A. No. The law provides that beer or wine may only be produced without a license in a “household”
for “personal or family” use. Beer or wine produced at a “home brew” supply store or any other
similar location for any purpose, including demonstration, would not comply with this provision.
[/quote]
The people who post threads like the recent “Membership” thread (debating what value there really is in paying $$ for AHA membership) seem to overlook threads like this one that shows the REAL value in fighting for homebrew rights at the governmental level. $$ to do that has to come from somewhere.
That would be a big increase from 2011 in San Diego, but it will not surprise me if it sets a new record. Many AHA members live on the West Coast, and San Diego is a destination city for more than craft beer (That may be a surprise to some.)
That’s awesome!! The CA ABC is an interesting agency…they have tens of thousands of alcohol establishments to regulate but only something like 125 alcohol agents for the entire state. I believe Tasty once tweeted something along the lines of…“CA ABC is like a dictatorship with no army”
Alcohol rules don’t have to make sense - the authorities know it and the legislators fear unregulated use, so they impose silly limitations. Thanks AHA and those who rally the meek toward enlightenment!
When enforcement happens, it’s sorta terrifying. This year with the change in the law the ABC threatened the CHA board of directors with arrest if they put on the fest, so… woo.
That’s what happens when an enforcement agency feels like you’re flaunting the law.
Wow!! That’s crazy!! BUT as a AHA and CHA member why wasn’t that brought to our attention? I would LOVE for a news outlet to run a story on the CA ABC threatening to jail people for putting on a charity homebrew event. As evidenced by the recent vote on AB 2609…which didn’t receive a single “nay” vote we have both the legislature and public opinion on our side. I have noticed a trend in homebrewing laws…nothing gets accomplished until someone gets in trouble or at least there is a threat of trouble. That is how both 1425 and 2609 have been passed. The ABC tries to enforce a “dumb” law, citizens notify their politicians, and the law is subsequently changed.