Homemade craft brews could become legal

Utah home-brewers will no longer have to operate "under the radar" with provisions proposed in HB425, presented Thursday before the House Government Operations standing committee.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Christine Johnson, D-Salt Lake City, carves out an exemption in Utah law which currently requires any person who manufactures an alcoholic beverage to obtain a license to do so from the state, including a requisite $10,000 bond.

Johnson's bill will allow the home manufacture of "fermented beverages" up to a limit of 100 gallons a year per person, with a 200 gallons a year limit, per household.

Johnson noted that home brewing has been recognized as a legal activity by the federal government since 1978 and over 40 states have legislation sanctioning the practice.

Mark Alston, owner of the Salt Lake City home brewing store, The Beer Nut, testified on behalf of HB425.

"People who are doing it are an amazing cross-section of Utah culture," Alston said.

Alston also noted that home brewed beer is not a "binge drinking product" since brewers devote too much time, energy and care to brewing a batch, which is typically about five gallons.

HB425 was passed out favorably by the committee and now moves to the House for further action.