Michigan

Updated: 8/2012

Status: Permitted

Statute

Michigan Compiled Laws Chapter 436, Act 58 of 1998, Chapter 2, Section 436.1207,  creates an exception to the Michigan Liquor Control Code for home manufacture of beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider and allows for gifting of such beverages of up-to 20 gallons per year. Section 436.2027 addresses sampling on the licensed premises of beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider produced by homebrewers for events such as competitions and homebrew club meetings.

State Alcohol Beverage Control Agency

• Michigan Liquor Control Commission
• 525 W. Allegan St.
• P.O. Box 30005
• Lansing, MI 48909
• Phone: 517.284.6250
• Fax: 517.322.5188

Applicable Statutory Material

436.1207 Exceptions to act.

(b) Beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider of any alcoholic content made on the premises by the owner or lessee of those premises provided those premises are used and occupied by that owner or lessee as a dwelling and the beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider is made for family use and home consumption.

(c) The gift to an individual for noncommercial use or consumption of up to 20 gallons of beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider produced under the circumstances described in subdivision (b). This subdivision does not allow a person less than 21 years of age to possess, receive as a gift, or give beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider produced under the circumstances described in subdivision (b).

436.2027 Samplings or tastings of alcoholic liquor; consumption on premises; holding of consumer sampling event; violation; rule or order; sampling for other than commercial purpose; written agreement; definitions.

Sec. 1027.

(3) This section does not prohibit any of the following:

(d) A micro brewer, brewpub, or on-premises licensee from allowing the sampling and consumption on the licensed premises of beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider produced by 1 or more home brewers at a meeting of home brewers, or a club composed primarily of home brewers, under the following circumstances:

(i) The sampling or consumption is for the purpose of exhibitions or competitions involving home brewers.

(ii) The beer, honey-based beer, or cider is served in portions that do not exceed 3 ounces. The wine or mead is served in portions that do not exceed 2 ounces.

(iii) The beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider produced by the home brewer is only consumed by the home brewer, the home brewer’s family, a club member, a judge, or a guest speaker and is not sold to members of the general public.

(iv) The participants in the sampling or consumption otherwise comply with applicable state and federal law and applicable regulatory provisions of this act and rules adopted by the commission under this act.

(v) The participants in the sampling or consumption are not charged for the sampling or consumption of the beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider.

(9) Before a micro brewer, brewpub, or on-premises licensee allows an event to be held under subsection (3)(d), the micro brewer, brewpub, or on-premises licensee shall enter into a written agreement with the home brewers or home brewers club stating all of the following:

(a) The date and time the event will be held.

(b) The location of the event.

(c) Either of the following:

(i) A statement that the micro brewer, brewpub, or on-premises licensee acknowledges that it is not in control of an unregulated alcoholic beverage at its establishment and agrees to assume liability under section 801(3) for the event.

(ii) Proof that the home brewers or home brewers club has obtained a bond or liability insurance equal to that required under section 803(1).

(10) As used in this section:

(a) “Commercial purpose” means a purpose for which monetary gain or other remuneration could reasonably be expected.

(b) “Home brewer” means an individual who manufactures beer, wine, mead, honey-based beer, or cider at his or her dwelling.

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.