Press Release:
(Springfield, IL) – Illinois Governor Patrick Quinn signed HB 630 into law today which regulates homebrewing. HB 630 allows Illinois homebrewers to legally share homebrew with friends and family and to enter homebrew competitions. It also allows homebrew supply shops to conduct brewing demonstrations and offer education courses to customers.
The Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois (ABDI), the Illinois Homebrew Alliance (IHA), and the Illinois Licensed Beverage Association (ILBA) worked in partnership on HB 630 at the request of sponsors Representative Keith Farnham (D-Elgin) and Representative Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake).
“The lack of regulatory control over the homebrewers activities was an issue,” said ABDI President Bill Olson. “Consumers’ safety is the number one concern since, even though it is a popular hobby, the homebrewers are creating an intoxicating beverage which needs regulation.”
The IHA is a group of 24 clubs and shops assembled by the Colorado-based American Homebrewing Association. The American Homebrewers Association estimates there are 1 million homebrewers nationwide. Alabama and Mississippi recently passed legislation allowing hobbyist homebrewing making it the first time since Prohibition that all 50 states will allow hobbyist homebrewing.
With the rise in popularity of homebrewing, the Commission started enforcing rules already on the books that prohibited homebrewers from offering their products at public events, but allowed them to share it with friends and family at their own home parties.
In April 2012, Peoria International Beer Festival Organizers were told by the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (Commission) that because the clubs’ brewing equipment was not regulated and their beer was not taxed, they could not share such brews at the festival. A dozen brew clubs had been a feature for 19 years at the Peoria festival, which is a fundraiser for the local Jaycees and charities.
The Silverado Homebrew Club of St. Charles approached Representative Farnham after they were not allowed to provide free tastes of member-made beers at the August 4, 2012 Wheaton Ale Fest because the city officials worried about the legality of the sampling. This prompted the legislation.
Olson continued, “We were pleased to be included in the discussions. We encourage homebrewing, but regulation is a must.”
Homebrewers now have the following requirements:
• No one under 21 years of age may homebrew, and beer may not be sold at anytime.
• The Commission must regulate the activities outside the homebrewer’s residence.
• A license must be obtained if beer is offered at a festival.
• Dram Shop Liability Insurance is required.
• Samples (at festivals only) may be given to consumers, at least 21 years of age, but no more than three 2 ounce samples to each consumer. Note: Previously, these festivals gave full size beers to basically anyone who asked, which is one of the reasons why the Commission shut them down.
• Homebrewers may not brew anywhere outside the home other than at a business at a fixed location that sells supplies and offers educational classes.
• Homebrewers may hold contests at a licensed premises; however, only judges (certified by a National Homebrewing Organization) may sample the beer. At no time may the homebrewers give their beer to anyone at a licensed premises other than a certified judge.
ABDI Members continue to play an ever increasing economic role to Illinois’ economy by providing thousands of jobs with good benefits. They collect and pay $63 million each year in excise taxes to the state and pay more than $280 million in direct wages and health care benefits. More information on ABDI is available at www.abdi.org.