# Pouring home brew at a beer event? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Homebrew Discussion\ **Created:** [December 15, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258 "2010-12-15T13:19:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tmaurer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmaurer/32/9033_2.png) [@tmaurer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tmaurer)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/1 "2010-12-15T13:19:19Z")
Are there laws forbidding pouring home brew at a beer tasting event? I live in PA.  I was told it was illegal., and I’m just wondering about the logic on that.  Is it a public health issue?  After all, home brew clubs gather and have tastings.  Whats the difference?  Any thoughts on this? ---
**Author:** ![thatguy314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@thatguy314](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/thatguy314)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 1:58pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/2 "2010-12-15T13:58:03Z")
> [@tmaurer](#): > > Are there laws forbidding pouring home brew at a beer tasting event? > > I live in PA.  I was told it was illegal., and I’m just wondering about the logic on that.  Is it a public health issue?  After all, home brew clubs gather and have tastings.  Whats the difference?  Any thoughts on this? The governement wants to tax you as much as they possibly can.  Only seriously nagging your politicians (and explaining that they’re not really going to make any money off of homebrewers) will get them to abandon the attempts to extort more money from you. ---
**Author:** ![dbarber](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dbarber/32/1319_2.png) [@dbarber](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dbarber)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/3 "2010-12-15T14:19:15Z")
> [@tmaurer](#): > > Are there laws forbidding pouring home brew at a beer tasting event? > > I live in PA.  I was told it was illegal., and I’m just wondering about the logic on that.  Is it a public health issue?  After all, home brew clubs gather and have tastings.  Whats the difference?  Any thoughts on this? I live in PA and my club the Lehigh Valley Homebrewers have poured our homebrew at several events. ---
**Author:** ![dak0415](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a4c791/32.png) [@dak0415](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dak0415)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 2:26pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/4 "2010-12-15T14:26:38Z")
I think the question should be - “Who told you it was illegal?” ---
**Author:** ![beerrat](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/beerrat/32/3400_2.png) [@beerrat](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/beerrat)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/5 "2010-12-15T14:41:46Z")
From what I understand is it can’t be sold, and if public, the place needs to be licensed to serve alcohol. Other then that, not aware why it would be illegal. Split Rock resort hosts a beer festival in PA every year, and in the past the local home brew club served their home brew for tasting. ---
**Author:** ![dirk\_mclargehuge](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/dirk_mclargehuge/32/8681_2.png) [@dirk\_mclargehuge](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/dirk_mclargehuge)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 3:27pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/6 "2010-12-15T15:27:23Z")
I imagine it would also depend on the event.  If there was a cover charge and all other alcoholic drinks were sold, I’m sure you could give away your homebrew.  However, if the cover charged allows people to get their alcohol free, then it would be illegal, because you would be selling homebrew. You will have to several people in Alcohol control unit, and you might find one or two that will say yes.  Last year, a club in Midland wanted to pour their beers at a fundraiser with a cover charge and free drinks.  Texas Alcoholic Beveage Commission Agent told them it was illegal to transport home brew (It’s not, and they told her so.), and said they didn’t have the proper permits to sell alcohol anyway. ---
**Author:** ![konrow](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/konrow/32/9757_2.png) [@konrow](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/konrow)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 3:36pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/7 "2010-12-15T15:36:02Z")
From the AHA site. “_Malt or brewed beverages may be produced by any person without a license if such malt or brewed beverages are produced not for sale and total production does not exceed two hundred gallons per calendar year. Malt or brewed beverages produced in accordance with this paragraph may be used at organized affairs, exhibitions, competitions, contests, tastings or judging provided it is not sold or offered for sale_.” > **[Homebrewing Statues](https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/homebrewing-rights/statutes/)** > > Statutes by State United States Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri... ---
**Author:** ![tmaurer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmaurer/32/9033_2.png) [@tmaurer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tmaurer)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 6:04pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/8 "2010-12-15T18:04:41Z")
> [@dak0415](#): > > I think the question should be - “Who told you it was illegal?” The guy who is helping set up the event. Here is a little more about the event: [http://pintsforpets.com/](http://pintsforpets.com/) It’s a charity event that requires a ticket to get in.  Once in, you can sample beers from breweries.  The event is held in a ball park where alcohol is normally served.  The reason I’m asking is that a LHBS sets up a booth there.  I was wondering why he couldn’t have a few home brews there as samples. ---
**Author:** ![garyg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/garyg/32/5283_2.png) [@garyg](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/garyg)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/9 "2010-12-15T18:53:12Z")
In most states, a public event that charges a fee to get in to consume alcoholic beverages where there is no additional charge per drink could not legally serve homebrew, because as an untaxed alcoholic beverage, it cannot be sold.  For example, we cannot serve homebrew at the AHA booth during the Great American Beer Festival. ---
**Author:** ![mikeybrew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/mikeybrew/32/3971_2.png) [@mikeybrew](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mikeybrew)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/10 "2010-12-15T19:18:44Z")
Slap an Anheuser-Bush sticker on your corny and tell people it’s experimental beer. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tmaurer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/tmaurer/32/9033_2.png) [@tmaurer](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tmaurer)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 8:19pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/11 "2010-12-15T20:19:04Z")
OK thanks for the info.  It seems silly, but then again, much of what the government does seems silly to me. ---
**Author:** ![tumarkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@tumarkin](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/tumarkin)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/12 "2010-12-15T21:12:32Z")
> [@garyg](#): > > In most states, a public event that charges a fee to get in to consume alcoholic beverages where there is no additional charge per drink could not legally serve homebrew, because as an untaxed alcoholic beverage, it cannot be sold.  For example, we cannot serve homebrew at the AHA booth during the Great American Beer Festival. Like most alcohol laws, this varies by state. In Florida it’s definately a no-no. But check with your local BTAF or equivalent. ---
**Author:** ![majorvices](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/majorvices/32/12825_2.png) [@majorvices](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/majorvices)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2010, 11:56am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/13 "2010-12-16T11:56:55Z")
In Nashville, Tenn they have a brewfest every year and one of the brew clubs (I think its Music City Brew Club) has a tent and they pour beers. The line is usually pretty big because they are pouring some of the best beers at the fest. I’d check with the distributor who is handling the event, they will have a better idea of what is legal and what is not. ---
**Author:** ![colinhayes](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/colinhayes/32/3030_2.png) [@colinhayes](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/colinhayes)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/14 "2010-12-25T19:03:23Z")
> [@tmaurer](#): > > much of what the government does seems silly to me. that sums it up _really_ well. ---
**Author:** ![phillamb168](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/phillamb168/32/10146_2.png) [@phillamb168](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/phillamb168)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/15 "2010-12-26T17:45:14Z")
> [@colinhayes](#): > > > [@tmaurer](#): > > > > much of what the government does seems silly to me. > > that sums it up _really_ well. True, but you’re a responsible person. Government regulations exist to keep idiots and people of bad intention from hurting those who can’t fend for themselves  just like Rhineheitsgebot, which existed at the time because people were putting REALLY nasty stuff in their beer and people were getting sick. Just my $0.02, and of course that doesn’t mean government is always right. ---
**Author:** ![denny](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/denny/32/13092_2.png) [@denny](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/denny)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2010, 5:47pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/16 "2010-12-26T17:47:16Z")
> [@phillamb168](#): > > just like Rhineheitsgebot, which existed at the time because people were putting REALLY nasty stuff in their beer and people were getting sick. I wasn’t aware of that.  I thought it was to keep wheat in the hands of the aristocracy. ---
**Author:** ![hopfenundmalz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/hopfenundmalz/32/11193_2.png) [@hopfenundmalz](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/hopfenundmalz)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2010, 6:22pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/17 "2010-12-26T18:22:56Z")
> [@denny](#): > > > [@phillamb168](#): > > > > just like Rhineheitsgebot, which existed at the time because people were putting REALLY nasty stuff in their beer and people were getting sick. > > I wasn’t aware of that.  I thought it was to keep wheat in the hands of the aristocracy. I have read it was to keep wheat and rye for bread making in poor crop years, and since barley makes good beer but not so good bread have the barley go to beer production.  I have read that there were some problems with suspect ingredients, hence the definition of what could be used and penalty for use of unapproved ingredients…  It was also a tax/price law, with the loophole for the aristocracy to have their own wheat beers as Denny says. [http://brewery.org/library/ReinHeit.html](http://brewery.org/library/ReinHeit.html) ---
**Author:** ![phillamb168](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/phillamb168/32/10146_2.png) [@phillamb168](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/phillamb168)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/18 "2010-12-26T18:46:32Z")
> [@hopfenundmalz](#): > > > [@denny](#): > > > > > [@phillamb168](#): > > > > > > just like Rhineheitsgebot, which existed at the time because people were putting REALLY nasty stuff in their beer and people were getting sick. > > > > I wasn’t aware of that.  I thought it was to keep wheat in the hands of the aristocracy. > > I have read it was to keep wheat and rye for bread making in poor crop years, and since barley makes good beer but not so good bread have the barley go to beer production.  I have read that there were some problems with suspect ingredients, hence the definition of what could be used and penalty for use of unapproved ingredients…  It was also a tax/price law, with the loophole for the aristocracy to have their own wheat beers as Denny says. > > I swear I read something about there being laws put in place to keep weird stuff from being put in beer. Maybe I was thinking of an English law? > > [Reinheitsgebot: German Beer Purity Law](http://brewery.org/library/ReinHeit.html) ---
**Author:** ![mthogan1997](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@mthogan1997](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/mthogan1997)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 1:33am UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/19 "2010-12-28T01:33:02Z")
[quote] Government regulations exist to keep idiots and people of bad intention from hurting those who can’t fend for themselves… [/quote] Ha ha ha. One of the best jokes I’ve read in awhile. Seriously, government regulations exist to keep power in the hands of the elected (or however they got in power) or their donors. Next you’ll be saying that that the  reinheitsgebot was about keeping really nasty stuff out of beer…ooh, err, sorry. ;D ---
**Author:** ![phillamb168](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/brewersassociation/user_avatar/forum.homebrewersassociation.org/phillamb168/32/10146_2.png) [@phillamb168](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/u/phillamb168)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258/20 "2010-12-28T15:50:32Z")
> [@mthogan1997](#): > > [quote] Government regulations exist to keep idiots and people of bad intention from hurting those who can’t fend for themselves… Ha ha ha. One of the best jokes I’ve read in awhile. Seriously, government regulations exist to keep power in the hands of the elected (or however they got in power) or their donors. Next you’ll be saying that that the  reinheitsgebot was about keeping really nasty stuff out of beer…ooh, err, sorry. ;D [/quote] I’m not saying regulation is always, always a good thing, but it definitely can be a force for good. Look at China, and all the crap that’s in their water and their food and their air. Besides, isn’t wrestling regulation to your will part of the fun? (tongue somewhat in cheek) [Next page](https://forum.homebrewersassociation.org/t/pouring-home-brew-at-a-beer-event/4258.md?page=2)