Wisconsin Craft Brewers see the light at the end of the Tunnel despite the roadblocks

The world of artisan beer production has grown tremendously in the United States, even though Wisconsin is one of the States most heavily involved in the Union. Wisconsin has always had a strong position in the production of beer and home Brewers in the State have a tradition of creating unique, quality beers not found elsewhere. Those brewers were dealt a serious blow back in 2011, when the State Government slapped a ban on transporting beer outside the home.

2011-regulatory authorities tightening

Everything seemed fine with the scenes of beer and beer House in Wisconsin for several years. Festival of beer and beer tastings were quite common throughout the State. However, as with all good things, it was not to last. The State Government (some say spurred by lobbyists great beer) decided that it was illegal for home Brewers to transport beer outside the boundaries of their own homes. This was a decision taken by the Wisconsin Department of revenue and a reinterpretation of a current law which had been on the books for some time (during which no one made a fuss about home Brewers doing what they loved).

The immediate impact of this reinterpretation was that all beer tastings and festivals that featured the home Brewers (those who do not have licenses provided by the Distributor) were made illegal. Any Brewer taking his beer out of their own estate was suddenly a criminal-just to do the same things they had done for years before under the law itself.

Shines a ray of hope

Home brewers and craft Brewers rallied against this change in legislation and a legal battle ensued. The result was a new bill that would make it legal for them to take their beer off their property once again and share it with others. The legislation was presented to the State Senate where it was approved unanimously. The new law offers several key benefits specifically for home Brewers, including:

• Giving the Brewers legal capacity to make and serve their brews outside their domicile
• Does not require Home Brewers distributor purchase licenses or all permissions (or worrying about taxes)
• Prohibits home Brewers to sell any of their beers (thus the lack of logical taxes)
• Brew and distribute up to 100 litres for adults in a household (up to 2 adults)

Everything sounds nice enough, right? Home Brewers get to keep doing what I love and the Government gets to stay out of their business. While it might have thought that could be the end for the legal wrangling and Brewers could go back to doing their thing, it would be wrong.

Darkness and greed go down to Wisconsin

Just a few days after the Bill was voted a massive protest erupted from the people and similar agencies. The most vocal detractors of the Bill came the Alliance of Wisconsin Wisconsin beer and wine and spirit Institute. Both of these agencies are accused of being in the pocket of great beer. The General complaint by these agencies was that it made it possible for home Brewers to skirt the law. Spokesman also denounced the possibility that home Brewers could get compensation for their beer through "creative ticket sales" to wine tastings and other events throughout the State. It seems that their main claim is that the home Brewers might be able to make a profit on their cooking without being held to the same rules as great beer.

The problem is that most home Brewers have no desire to make money off their beer, at least not right away. The vast majority of home Brewers State engage in the production of beer as a hobby and a passion. Sharing their beers is a means for feedback, comments on the quality and style and the validation of their skills, besides being just plain fun. However, not greed never rests and the license/permit lobbyists and great beer to see the potential to slip out of their grasp.

Bottom line of the Bill

For those still unsure of the actual intent of the legislation, the entire purpose of the Bill is to let the little guy to do what he likes with friends, according to Dean Kaufert, one of the sponsors of the Bill in the Senate, and a representative of Wisconsin. The Bill is not about "skirting the law" or allowing private citizens to "get away with" doing things outside the bounds of the current legislation. Bottom line of the Bill is common sense. There is a point to force the home Brewers to keep their beers on their property, provided they are not selling their product.

The result is still uncertain

While the Bill might have received unanimous support from the Senate Committee, things certainly are not going well. Lobbyists across the State are stirring up trouble for home Brewers to incite other citizens and Government officials to stop this legislation from passing lobbying. The end result is not clear and no firm decision could be achieved for many more months thanks to the ongoing legal controversy. Meanwhile, Wisconsin home Brewers have few options other than sitting at home and do what they do in limited batches.

It seems strange that in an era where lighted beer laws are being enacted across the nation, one of the States best known for its heritage of beer should try to enforce those regulations ill-conceived and stifling. Suspicions about the "big boys" trying to maintain or Boost their profits are on the agenda and the hand of pundits beer big certainly seems clear. If Wisconsin adopt a benign attitude toward his home Brewers remains to be seen, though certainly it is to be hoped that the Government will not bend the power of big business, defend the rights of the small boy and leaving the home Brewers continue to do what you did for years.

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