Is Brewing Beer Illegal?

The question of whether or not home brewing is legal may be one
you're asking yourself for your own hobby, or it may be something
you've faced from friends and family members. It's interesting
that anytime someone wants to do something, anything, in their own
home they do need to think about whether or not they actually have
permission from the government to do so.

Of course, there are laws about home brewing that are designed not
so much to restrict you as they are to protect you, and those
around you. For example, anyone that wants to sell food products
to anyone else needs to follow very strict guidelines about hygiene
and the cleanliness of their food preparation facility. The person
making the food may resent that, but obviously the person buying
the food wouldn't! Chances are you yourself take it for granted
that you can go into the grocery store or any restaurant, or buy
anything edible at a convenience store, and just assume that these
things are prepared in a clean and safe environment.

If you are at all interested in selling your home brewed products,
obviously you would need to be bound by these same laws, and would
also need a license to do so.

But most people who make beer or wine in their own home do so just
for themselves and to share with friends and family. They have no
interest in selling these things and are just looking to pursue a
fun and interesting hobby.

If this is you, again, is home brewing legal?

The answer is yes in most places, the two exceptions being the
states of Arkansas and Utah (as of this writing). There are limits
on your home brewing; typically it's 100 gallons per year per adult
in the household with a maximum of 200 gallons per year produced.

Your home brew product can't be sold at all unless you have proper
licenses; this means that you can't even charge your friends a
dollar to get into a party where you serve your home brew.

No matter what, the legal drinking age in the United States is 21
and this includes for products you make yourself. Anyone under
that age cannot consume alcohol of any type or even assist you in
making it, and this means even if they're your own children and are
on your own property. And never get behind the wheel of your car
after having too much of your home brew, even if you just want to
make a short trip.

So in answer to your question, yes, home brewing is legal with just
a few minor restrictions. As long as you stay within these general
guidelines, you should be fine. And if you have any questions or
want to be sure of things, don't hesitate to call you local police
station or county clerk's office for clarification.


And as always, if you want to learn everything I have learnt in
my many years of brewing, grab a copy of my book, just click
the link below:
http://www.BetterYourBrewing.com