They are, although I’m sure a phone call couldn’t hurt.
Since it isn’t clear that you can legally transport homebrew in certain, perhaps many states (ahem Illinois), I’m not sure why Fed Ex or UPS would want to knowingly transport homebrew. Let’s focus on making transportation of homebrew legal first.
Good point.
Which begs a kind of interesting question. It’s really hard to find authoritative information but it appears as though it is technically illegal to bring into (technically “import”) Pennsylvania any quantity of alcohol. Now, everybody does it and nobody gets in trouble for it but you have to wonder, with the AHA conference being is big as it is, could that make any ears perk up? Has the AHA addressed the legality of all the clubs that’ll be bringing homebrew into the state?
It has been being worked on for many years…since before I was on the GC. Basically, FedEX, UPS and DHC have decided there isn’t enough money in it to make it worth their while. There have been legislative efforts underway to get the USPS rules changed, byut getting those laws altered takes a long time. In short, don’t assume the AHA isn’t working on this.
I would have to imagine so. Being able to transport homebrew in WA held up having the conference there until the law was changed. I can’t imagine that it would be different in PA.
Legal rules is something mentioned on the page regarding “so you want ::insert your city:: to host a convention” though I can’t remember where that page is.
Don’t ship beer, ship “yeast samples for analysis”. Unless you filter out your yeast, that is 100% true, if misleading. Ship Fedex or UPS, it’s just against their policies. Shipping USPS is against the law.
From the NHC 2014 thread
So a definate maybe.
I’ve heard that a lot of places are onto that. I simply say it’s “gifts” becasue, after all, beer is a gift…right?
Yeah, I assumed something had been done about it. Was mostly curious how whatever it was that was done was done.
According to PA law, homebrew can be used for organized events and there is no specific limit placed on how much can be transported for such events.
Prior to the law being changed in Washington, there was a prohibitively small limit on the amount of homebrew that could be transported.
Gary, is there anything being done about being able to ship through FedEx or UPS without violating their policies or state laws?
I know it’s against their policies (FedEx/UPS) but I believe their policies are based on state/federal distribution laws prohibiting shipments. In addition, it creates a moral dilemma for some eventhough it’s suggested someone either omit information when shipping or try and convince the shipper it’s not actually beer but a yeast sample.
Regarding the upcoming conference and competition, according to this link (http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/cons/groups/system_internet/documents/webasset/000820.pdf) it appears PA forbids the shipment into the state. I think it would be great if the AHA looked into this for the benefit of it’s members and to try and keep things on the up and up with all shippers and states. Cheers!
[quote=“47 PA 4-491”]It shall be unlawful–
…
(2) For any person, except a manufacturer or the board or the holder of a sacramental wine license or of an importer’s license, to possess or transport any liquor or alcohol within this Commonwealth which was not lawfully acquired prior to January first, one thousand nine hundred and thirty-four, or has not been purchased from a Pennsylvania Liquor Store or a licensed limited winery in Pennsylvania, except in accordance with section 488 or the board’s regulations.
[/quote]
Emphasis mine. Sounds legal to me.
Emphasis mine. Sounds legal to me.
[/quote]
Not sure you read that right.
it was 1 gallon, and then it could only be tasted by judges. :
Civil disobedience is sometimes required to get laws changed. To me, it is not a moral dilemma. Laws are not necessarily based on morality. $$$ speak very loudly in politics.
+1, but you must be willing to accept the ramifactions from such disobedience.
Absolutely, nothing is free.
I gotta say, sending beer through UPS and saying it is yeast sample doesn’t really qualify as civil disobedience in my mind. It’s just trying to get one over on the authorities. Nothing wrong with that but it’s different.
Sending beer through the USPS and labeling it BEER in large letters on the outside of the package might qualifiy as civil disobedience though.
as far as I know sending beer via FedEx or UPS is simple going against corporate policy in which case have at. their policy is not my law. perhaps shipping booze into states that do not allow shipping booze is breaking the actual law so that’s different and each person must decide for themselves if that is something they are willing to do.