Update on Michigan Homebrew Legislation

At the January meeting we discussed briefly legislation currently in the Michigan House of Representatives dealing with homebrewing in our state. Chris Frey of the FORD homebrew club is working with our representatives to try to pass a bill that would allow clubs like ourselves to hold meetings and other events at local microbreweries, such as Bell's, Olde Peninsula or Old Hat. One of the most important parts of this arranegment would be the ability to share homebrewed beer and other beverages at these locations.

As many of you know, since leaving our long standing meeting place at Dick Milne's home last year we have struggled to find a permanent meeting location that could both handle our growing number of members as well let us share in the very thing that our club is all about: HOMEBREW! I'm happy to pass along that progress is being made. However, this legislation has no hope of passing without YOUR HELP. We again ask that you notify state representatives and let them know you support this bill and want to see real change happen in the capital. Additionally, we also want you to contact State Representative Doug Geiss who will be compiling all responses and presenting them to the Michigan Liquor Commission, the main opponent to this bill. A meeting with that group will take place March 11th, so try to get together your email and other correspondence before then.

Doug Geiss
douglasgeiss@house.mi.gov

If you want to read more about this bill or get a good example of contact that has already been submitted, you can check out an email I received from Chris Frey on our discussion board:

http://www.klob.org/cgi-bin/discus/board-auth.cgi?file=/758/3035.html
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2009-2010/billintroduced/House/h...

Let's make this happen! Pass this along to all your fellow homebrewers.