Homebrewing Finally Legal in Alabama

Via the American Homebrewers Association:  Homebrewing is Legal in Alabama!

The era of illegal homebrewing has come to an end! Alabama, the final remaining state to still outlaw the making of beer at home, officially legalized homebrewing with the passage of bill HB9 which was signed by Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday, May 9, 2013.

The Alabama law goes into effect immediately, making Alabama the forty-ninth state to allow homebrewing, despite being the fiftieth state to pass a homebrew bill. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed a homebrew legalization bill on March 19, 2013, but the law will not officially go into effect until July 1, 2013, making the Magnolia State the last state to legalize homebrewing.

As is often the case, we in Alabama are grateful to Mississippi for making us look marginally better by comparison.

(And no, I am not a homebrewer, but it has long struck me as ridiculous that it was illegal in this state).

FILED UNDER: US Politics, , ,
Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter

Comments

  1. Gustopher says:

    I don’t know why you’re embarrassed about Alabama. The state has a proud history of (losing) Supreme Court decisions that have defined what equality means in this country.

    Alabama has always been on the front lines in the fight for civil rights in this country.

  2. @Gustopher:

    Alabama has always been on the front lines in the fight for civil rights in this country.

    They’ve just had the bad habit of being on the wrong side.

  3. Tyrell says:

    I thought it was always legal in Alabama. I know some home brewers, but its not beer. How long is that going to be illegal?

  4. From the link:

    Prior to today’s announcement, Mississippi and Alabama were the only two states that did not allow homebrewing.

    Huh….didn’t know that. Apparently MS still does not allow it.

  5. Caj says:

    Homebrewing legal! Wow! Let’s see what year are we in? Oh yes 2013! For Gods sake, Alabama and some other southern states are still stuck in 1776! Some in the south would still prefer the good old days. Just can’t abide the thought of moving into the 21st century and the changing demographics!

  6. OzarkHillbilly says:

    A buddy of mine was a home brewer in AL for 12 plus years…. You should have seen his garage wall festooned with ribbons.

    Or better yet, you should have set on his back deck with a home brewed beer in one hand and a single malt scotch in the other…. drunk off yer ass with pizza coming… Scottsboro for those who want a clue.

    Best pit bopping trip I have ever been on.

    With the exception of one or two…

  7. OzarkHillbilly says:

    @OzarkHillbilly: No…. not. Best pit dropping trip ever. Woke up sat morn and was fed pancakes and bacon, dropped 3 pits that day and then came back to camp and got fwcked by the most striking women I have ever known. NOT most beautiful… but definitely most striking.

    I remember sitting off to the side and listening to 2 guys talking about their trip… “She even smelled good…” and knowing they were talking about Pauline….

    And that I would soon know Pauline in a way they never would, once again.

    Not bragging, just…..

    Well, maybe a little….

  8. Davebo says:

    Well thank god you still can’t legally buy a dildo in Bama!

  9. JWH says:

    Is there any point to homebrewing if it’s legal?