1. Statutes

Maryland

Updated: 1/2005

Status: Permitted

Statute

marylandMaryland statute Article 2B, §1 provides that a license or permit is not required for the manufacture of family beer exclusively for home consumption, competition, or use in a licensed national family wine exhibition and not for sale.

Discussion

This statute is a very concise exception enabling the production of beer for home consumption without license or permit. “Beer” is defined as any brewed alcoholic beverage, and includes beer, ale, porter, and stout (Article 2B, §2).

Special Provisions

N/A

State Alcohol Beverage Control Agency

  • Comptroller of the Treasury
  • Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Division
  • Goldstein Treasury Building
  • P.O. Box 2999
  • Annapolis, MD 21404-2999
  • Phone: 410.974.3311
  • Fax: 410.974.3201

Applicable Statutory Material

Article 2B, §2
§2 Definitions.
For the purposes of this article and unless otherwise required by the context:

(a) “Alcoholic beverages” means alcohol, brandy, whisky, rum, gin, cordial, ale, porter, stout, wine, cider, and any other spirituous, vinous, malt or fermented liquor, liquid, or compound, by whatever name called, containing one half of one per centum or more of alcohol by volume, which is fit for beverage purposes.

(b) “Beer” means any brewed alcoholic beverage, and includes beer, ale, porter, and stout.
Article 2B, §1
§1 Prohibition without license or permit; exceptions; confiscation.

(b) Family wine, beer, or cider for home consumption, etc. — (1) A license or permit is not required for the manufacture of family wine, beer, or cider exclusively for home consumption, competition, or use in a licensed national family wine exhibition and not for sale.

(2) In St. Mary’s County, cider or native wines may be sold by the maker thereof without a license.

Note: The information presented here is to the best of our knowledge and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice specific to the laws of your state.

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