Ore. Democrat proposes change in home brewing law
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) - A state lawmaker who brews his own beer says it's time to change Oregon law to allow malty and frothy beverages to do a little traveling, and even compete again.
Democratic state Sen. Floyd Prozanski of Eugene told The Register-Guard he's drafting legislation to permit do-it-yourself brewers to once again transport their hand-crafted products beyond their homes.
Earlier this summer, the state Department of Justice determined that an 80-year-old, Prohibition-era law barred consumption of homemade alcoholic beverages outside the home.
The new legal interpretation led the Oregon State Fair to end its 22-year-old home-brewed beer contest and created an uproar among beer enthusiasts, who have long shared their homemade specialty brews at home parties and other informal events.
Prozanski said he's been home-brewing since 1987 but no longer enters contests. Still, the interpretation of the law has affected the way he enjoys the hobby and what he produces.
"I have a brew partner, and if we make two batches, I'm going to have to tell my brewing partner, thanks but I'm going to have to keep that here," Prozanski said.
Christie Scott, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, said her agency has looked into ways to work within the confines of the law while allowing home brewers to continue sharing their beers and ales.
None of the possible solutions have been practical, she said.
For example, regulators considered issuing brewery licenses to home brewers, but that would cost hundreds of dollars and require public hearings for each license, Scott said.
"The only real solution to getting this change is changing the statute, and that is exactly what we're working with Sen. Prozanski on," Scott said.
Prozanski said his proposal will spell out clearly what Oregonians can and cannot do with the beer, wine, hard cider and other home-made alcohol they produce.
The bill is expected to be considered after the Legislature convenes in January.
Democratic state Sen. Floyd Prozanski of Eugene told The Register-Guard he's drafting legislation to permit do-it-yourself brewers to once again transport their hand-crafted products beyond their homes.
Earlier this summer, the state Department of Justice determined that an 80-year-old, Prohibition-era law barred consumption of homemade alcoholic beverages outside the home.
The new legal interpretation led the Oregon State Fair to end its 22-year-old home-brewed beer contest and created an uproar among beer enthusiasts, who have long shared their homemade specialty brews at home parties and other informal events.
Prozanski said he's been home-brewing since 1987 but no longer enters contests. Still, the interpretation of the law has affected the way he enjoys the hobby and what he produces.
"I have a brew partner, and if we make two batches, I'm going to have to tell my brewing partner, thanks but I'm going to have to keep that here," Prozanski said.
Christie Scott, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, said her agency has looked into ways to work within the confines of the law while allowing home brewers to continue sharing their beers and ales.
None of the possible solutions have been practical, she said.
For example, regulators considered issuing brewery licenses to home brewers, but that would cost hundreds of dollars and require public hearings for each license, Scott said.
"The only real solution to getting this change is changing the statute, and that is exactly what we're working with Sen. Prozanski on," Scott said.
Prozanski said his proposal will spell out clearly what Oregonians can and cannot do with the beer, wine, hard cider and other home-made alcohol they produce.
The bill is expected to be considered after the Legislature convenes in January.
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