ABC confiscates homebrew equipment from Birmingham Hopcity!

Discussion in 'Beer News' started by slatetupelo, Sep 21, 2012.

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  1. slatetupelo

    slatetupelo Initiate (0) Jun 23, 2007 Mississippi

    http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2012/09/abc_agents_raid_birmingham_bee.html

    Yes, this is still happening in the year 2012. They even confiscated BOOKS related to homebrewing!
     
  2. robinsmv

    robinsmv Initiate (0) Jun 24, 2010 Florida

    I bet you can still buy plenty of glass pipes "for tobacco use only" in alabama. That carboy is used for storing water and the immersion chiller helps quickly cool sweet tea without watering it down :rolling_eyes:
     
  3. mychalg9

    mychalg9 Pooh-Bah (2,061) Apr 8, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I would not picket for war or work, but I would certainly protest this if i lived there. ​
     
  4. afrokaze

    afrokaze Pooh-Bah (1,933) Jun 12, 2009 Oregon
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Great to know what my tax dollars are being wasted on.
     
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  5. cavedave

    cavedave Grand Pooh-Bah (4,145) Mar 12, 2009 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Will someone please convince the powers that be in Alabama that Prohibition has ended, horses aren't used as the most modern mode of transportation, and the Sun doesn't circle the Earth. We really need all the states of the Union to get on board with these news items.
     
  6. LMT

    LMT Initiate (0) Oct 15, 2009 Virginia

    ...and that the civil war is over (I don't know if they should be told they lost, though...they might not be able to handle it).
     
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  7. Lutter

    Lutter Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2010 Texas
    Deactivated

    Homebrewing is illegal in Alabama... this dude was selling illegal products. End of story. Unfortunately, while they recently got their ABV laws changed, the ability to make homebrew did not and fell through in their legislature.

    The government is not in the wrong here. Their alcohol board is merely following state law and doing their job, no matter how silly we might find it.

    And yes, I support homebrew. Luckily it's LEGAL here in Texas! :wink: Laws like this should be challenged, not outright ignored... especially by a store that requires state licensing to sell product!
     
  8. TrappistJohnMD

    TrappistJohnMD Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2011 Mississippi

    Well, I plan to drive over from Mississippi next weekend and offset some of his losses with a purchase.
     
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  9. daryk77

    daryk77 Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2005 District of Columbia

    How is the law written in Alabama? Does it specifically say that you cannot sell homebrewing equipment? I have heard of other stores in Alabama that do sell homebrew supplies so curious as to why Kraig has been singled out. As others have mentioned, the act of homebrewing might be illegal but not so sure about selling supplies.
     
  10. Hanzo

    Hanzo Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Virginia

    My guess is because it is a new store.

    They were probably checking the store out prior to issuing the license, saw the equipment and called it in. While I agree it is pretty ridiculous, I think more effort should be put into getting the laws changed rather than just complaining about it. (if ABC regulations clearly state homebrewing equipment cannot be sold)
     
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  11. daryk77

    daryk77 Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2005 District of Columbia

    Could indeed be the case. I find it interesting that the following homebrew stores are allowed to operate but Alabama decided to take a stand with hop city, which doesn't even exclusively sell homebrew supplies.
    http://www.alabrew.com/
    http://www.thewinesmith.biz/
    http://www.deepsouthbrew.com/
    http://www.fairviewhomebrew.com/
     
  12. Brunite

    Brunite Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2009 Illinois

    If only Jimmy Carter had been from Alabama.......!
     
    newriverbrewer likes this.
  13. Lantern

    Lantern Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2011

    Just tell 'em it's for err... ummm... making...tea. Yeah, tea.
     
  14. daryk77

    daryk77 Initiate (0) Jun 16, 2005 District of Columbia

    Wording of current Alabama law:

    "In all counties of the state it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to have in his or its possession any still or apparatus to be used for the manufacture of any alcoholic beverage of any kind or any alcoholic beverage of any kind illegally manufactured or transported within the state or imported into the state from any other place without authority of the alcoholic control board of the state, and any person, firm or corporation violating this provision or who transports any illegally manufactured alcoholic beverages or who manufactures illegally any alcoholic beverages shall, upon conviction, be punished as provided by law." §28-1-1

    I guess "apparatus to be used for the manufacture of any alcoholic beverage of any kind" would cover homebrewing supplies. Still surprised that this happened despite the current law. My impression was no one really bothered enforcing that law, as there are multiple other homebrew stores in AL. Hopefully AL can get this law taken care of, several bills have been introduced previously but all have died unfortunately.
     
  15. coreyfmcdonald

    coreyfmcdonald Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2008 Georgia

    Having spoken with Kraig on quite a few occasions in his Atlanta store, I would be extremely surprised if he did not do the due diligence to ensure he was complying with all state laws. He seems quite intelligent, is extremely professional, and his store is very well run. Having said that, I personally do not know the wording or enforcement of this law in Alabama (and I assume neither do you).

    EDIT: beat out by Daryk77
     
  16. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,611) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Society

    The other state where homebrewing is not legal.
     
  17. Hanzo

    Hanzo Initiate (0) Feb 27, 2012 Virginia

    Did you read daryk77's post?

     
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  18. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,023) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society

    this is about States Rights and all that. not surprising.

    so long as i don't have to hear from some Alabama Senator about everything that is wrong with New York, this nonsense does not effect me in the least. must suck to be a thinking citizen of Alabama who just wants to brew some beer.
     
  19. JimKal

    JimKal Savant (1,149) Jul 31, 2011 North Carolina

    While I understand the frustration with this antiquated law, the only taxes being wasted are those of the residents of Alabama. No Federal agents were involved, no federal taxes were spent. Maybe the Alabama BAs can start a letter writing campaign to state legislators.
     
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  20. jrnyc

    jrnyc Pooh-Bah (2,988) Mar 21, 2010 New York
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Or as some traders would say at their local delivery store: "sauces".
     
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