Rackers (and friends),
The long-awaited homebrewing legislation is ready to be presented. Time is of the essence. We need to rally support for the bill. I'm asking you to contact your state (NOT federal) Senators and Assemblymen for their support. If you don't know who they are, you can find out here: http://legis.wisconsin.gov/w3asp/waml/waml.aspx
A copy of the proposed legislation is attached. PLEASE be positive and brief. Threats ("I'll recall your *** if you don't support this") are entirely out of place and uncalled for. Here are some paragraphs I lifted from the AHA's press release:
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The Green Bay Rackers are supporting a bill before the Wisconsin legislature to lift restrictions on Wisconsin’s home beer and wine hobbyists. Bill LRB 3101, sponsored by Senator Michael Ellis and Representative Dean Kaufert, lifts current restrictions that prohibit homebrew from being transported outside of the home where it was made.
Prior to 2011, when the Wisconsin Department of Revenue determined that the existing law does not allow for homebrew to be removed from the residence of the maker, state homebrewers had been hosting homebrew competitions and sharing homebrew at homebrew club meetings—common practices for homebrewers in other states. If passed, LRB 3101 would allow the state’s homebrewers to resume doing what they had been doing for decades.
In addition to support from Wisconsin homebrewers, homebrew clubs and homebrew shop owners, LRB 3101 has the support of the 28,000 member-strong American Homebrewers Association (AHA), a national organization aimed at promoting the homebrewing hobby and protecting homebrewer rights. “The AHA is resolved to support the rights of Wisconsin’s homebrewers,” comments Gary Glass, director of the American Homebrewers Association. “We believe Wisconsin homebrewers deserve the same rights shared by homebrewers throughout the country.”
The homebrewing hobby represents an important source of growth in a down economy. In both 2009 and 2010, homebrew retailers saw revenue growth of 16 percent, according to the AHA, and likely had similar growth in 2011. Most of the craft breweries being opened in the U.S. today are founded by homebrewers. Craft brewing is another rare growth industry in the U.S., but growth of the industry in Wisconsin could be stifled without changes to the state’s homebrew laws.
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Essentially, this bill would bring state law in line with federal law regarding homebrewing. We would be able to bring homebrew to a friend's house, club meeting, or homebrew competition. It would also allow us to provide beer for various charitable events which support the Brown County Humane Society, the Railroad Museum, the EAA, the Kewaunee Lions Club, the Manitowoc Jaycees, and others.
Thanks for your help!
