I see a lot of love going on in the thread and perhaps rightly so.
From where I sit on a day to day basis I just don't see much for my membership dollar and never have. In effect you MUST be a member in order to attend the conference (which is something worth it, but fodder for another topic). If you select the non-member rate you will automatically pay for the membership and become a member.
So what does one really get for the $? 6 magazines a year and PERHAPS some pub discounts. And let's not forget a lesser cost for entry into the AHA NHC. I guess now this forum could be considered a benefit. (FWIW - I am a member and have been for awhile.)
Let's explore those pub discounts further. In NC there are a grand total of 3 to be had. One in Asheville and two in the Charlotte area. In truth one in the Charlotte area does not apply. It is "Happy Hour Prices on Food - Anytime (where allowed)" and NC does not have a Happy Hour so no discounts there. Now we are back to TWO total places in the state and only if you can get your server to recognize they participate.
The AHA should have long ago started working on legalization of homebrewing and repealing archaic ABV limits which restrict the creativity of homebrewers. I'm sure I could be mistaken, but those efforts only seem to have begun in earnest in the last few years. I do applaud the current efforts being made and hope legalization is realized in all 50 states.
So maybe someone can spell it out for me the benefits the average AHA member would enjoy who is not entering the NHC nor attending the Conference?
[Fred - no fair pointing to the membership-benefits page. Denny - yes, I am stirring up trouble
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