Finally. Mississippi will soon have the freedom to brew their own beer with out the threat of jail time. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed legislation to that end.
Grassroots organization Raise Your Pints has been working diligently to help get this law passed. Congratulations Mississippi! Alabama… We are still sorry.
Title: AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 67-3-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT EVERY PERSON SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE HOMEMADE BEER FOR PERSONAL, FAMILY, DOMESTIC OR HOUSEHOLD PURPOSES IF THE BEER IS MADE IN A COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY IN WHICH THE POSSESSION OF LIGHT WINE OR BEER IS LAWFUL; TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF HOMEMADE BEER THAT MAY BE MADE BY ANY PERSON IN A CALENDAR YEAR; TO AUTHORIZE HOMEMADE BEER; TO AUTHORIZE THE TRANSPORT OF HOMEMADE BEER FROM THE PREMISES WHERE MADE ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PARTICIPATING IN A BONA FIDE EXHIBITION, CONTEST OR COMPETITION WHERE HOMEMADE BEER IS BEING TASTED AND JUDGED; TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT HOMEMADE BEER MAY NOT BE SOLD; TO AMEND SECTIONS 67-3-7, 67-3-13 AND 67-3-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
From the Brewer’s Association:
Boulder, CO â— March 19, 2013 — The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is pleased to announce that Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant has signed a bill that will effectively legalize homebrewing throughout the state. Mississippi is now the 49th state to permit homebrewing. A Senate version of the bill passed in early February and it was then voted on by the State House of Representatives in March.
“From our founding fathers to our current President, this country has a long and storied tradition of homebrewing,” said Gary Glass, director of the American Homebrewers Association. “We appreciate the support of all of the homebrewers, the dedicated grassroots efforts of Raise Your Pints and the legislators who have worked so diligently to make homebrewing a reality in Mississippi. We are grateful to Senator John Horhn who introduced this bill and to Governor Bryant for his quick action and support.”
The 21st Amendment predominantly leaves regulation of alcohol to the states. Therefore, even though homebrewing is federally legal, it is still up to individual states to legalize homebrewing in state codes. Prior to today’s announcement, Mississippi and Alabama were the only two states that did not allow homebrewing. The AHA will continue working with homebrewers in Alabama to legalize homebrewing.
The hobby of homebrewing has seen exponential growth in recent years. The AHA estimates that more than 1 million Americans brew beer or make wine at home at least once a year. Mississippi is home to an estimated 2,200 homebrewers who may now enjoy brewing without the restrictions of a state-wide ban.
