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.
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.)
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
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/
Also - I couldn’t tell from any of the articles whether FTH had a hand in the new Alcohol Delivery law (Beer And Wine Delivered To Your Door? It Will Happen Soon In Alabama | WBHM 90.3) or not.
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).
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. 
I nominate Tommy.
If nothing changes, just know I tried my best [emoji2957]
Couple of Huntsville comedians on our hands here. lololol
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.
Yea the laws are a little restrictive. It also scuttles my idea for a brew on premises place…
Majorvices is selling a turnkey brewery in Madison.
I don’t really want to buy a brewery. I bounced the idea back and forth with Majorvices a while back.
A place to come, drink beer, brew beer (and have someone else clean it up) and store and share your beer.
Trying to figure out how to post the business plan I generated for one of my MBA classes last year.
http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/62d88c259bb21/Brew%20Here_Business%20Plan%20Entrepreneur_Stowe.pdf
Ignore the financials. They were a little made up due to lack of real info.
The concept is what I was working on.
IANAL but at least one LHBS in Ala. was doing (or planning to do) classes that went up to the point of pitching the yeast. But I think if you wanted to ferment there, you’d have to be a licensed brewery … operate like those wineries that do custom blends and bottles. As long as you limit each customer to less than the ~650 oz daily limit, it seems like you could count it as to-go sales through the taproom. But that’s a lot more overhead than just having equipment that people rent. And it’s probably illegal somehow that I’m overlooking.
Whistle Stop Brew Shop in Auburn / Opalika area may be offering classes. I was talking to the owner a few years ago and he told me about the legal limitations.
Keith and I have talked about a few work-arounds but no good viable - profitable solution right now.