Yesterday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed SB-102 into law. This bill codifies into the Ohio Liquor Law what is permitted by the 1978 federal law legalizing homebrewing in the United States and allowing homebrewers in Ohio to legally hold competitions and conventions without the need to obtain a special permit from the Ohio Department of Liquor Control ODL. Previously, the Ohio liquor law was silent with regard to the homebrewing and transportation of beer, cider, and mead outside of the homebrewer’s premises but the ODL questioned whether this was legal due to the fact that untaxed alcohol was being transported and served outside of the homebrewer’s premises. I have spent the last four years trying to get the liquor law modified with help from the AHA, my state senator, and people involved with the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. I am glad we now language in the liquor law that reflects what is permitted for homebrewers under federal law. The new law takes effect 90 days after the governor signed it.
Congratulations on your dedication to get this done.
This opens up Ohio cities as HomebrewCon sites in future years.
Goose, thank you for your part in getting this done.
It baffles me why it takes so long to get common sense legislation passed.
Legislation that deals with anything that is not a hot button issue always moves at a speed slower than a tortoise.
And don’t forget special interest groups that use the current laws to maintain a monopolistic grip on the market. Even if it’s totally unrelated (i.e. homebrew), some big distributor is going to be afraid of the change.
There was some opposition to the amendments the Ohio House tacked on, like lowering the age at which a restaurant server may serve alcohol to a patron from 19 years old to 18 and Sunday sales of booze from places like grocery stores, but that didn’t stop the passage of the bill. In fact one of the amendments was asked for by the Governor. The bill also had a veto proof majority in both houses of the Ohio Legislature. Fortunately the Wholesale Beer and Wine Distributors in Ohio were not opposed to the bill, a big plus.
Thanks Goose, as an Ohio resident - it is much appreciated the work you put in!
Thanks, Jim! It took a lot of time to get this doen, but I am finally glad it is complete. I appreciate your comment!
Thanks for investing your time into helping the homebrew community. I’m sure it was frustrating at times, but it probably feels good to get it accomplished. Thanks again from another Ohio brewer.