When acting as a community, homebrewers have strength in numbers to enact change.
The American Homebrewers Association is excited to share the news that the California legislature passed without opposition, and Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law, AB 2172. The new law will go into effect January 1, 2017.
In 2014, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control issued an FAQ in which the agency stated that existing law prohibited homebrew from being brought onto licensed premises.
The new law, supported by the AHA, more clearly defines where homebrew can be served and permits homebrew clubs and homebrewers across the state of California to meet, discuss, and share their beer amongst themselves at licensed establishments. These include craft breweries, beer bars, brewpubs, and restaurants.
AB 2172 requires that any meetings and competitions held at these establishments be conducted within an area clearly defined by the authorized licensee. The full text of the bill is available for review online.
“Professionals and amateur brewers are all part of a tight-knit community of brewers”, said AHA Director Gary Glass. “Thanks to the activism of California’s homebrewing community, come January 1, brewers can legally host their local homebrew club meetings and competitions.”
Thank you to everyone who communicated with legislators and the Governor’s office to get this bill passed. Particular thanks go to the California Homebrewers Association (CHA), which led the charge and worked with Senate Assemblyman Brian Jones to get this bill through the California Legislature.
The CHA has posted an FAQ to their website.
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