August 23, 2011

Dear AHA, Brewers Association and Support Your Local Brewery Members,

The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is supporting an effort by Michigan homebrewers to pass legislation that would allow homebrewers to serve homebrew at meetings and events held at Michigan breweries, bars and restaurants.

Thanks to all of the calls and emails from supporters of House Bill 4061, the bill has been passed by the Michigan House and the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee. It still needs to be passed by the full Michigan Senate before it can be sent to the governor to sign into law.

We need your help to make that happen. The bill could go to a vote in the Senate at any time, so your action is needed now. Please contact the office of the state Senator for your district and ask that they support HB 4061. Contacting your legislators' offices is quick and easy, and your call or email could mean the difference between passage and defeat for this bill.

Current Michigan regulations prohibit the serving of homebrew for any purpose at microbreweries, brewpubs, restaurants and bars. House Bill 4061, sponsored by homebrewer Representative Doug Geiss, would allow homebrew to be served at licensed Michigan breweries, restaurants and bars for activities such as club meetings and competitions.

Thanks for your support of Michigan homebrewers!

Charlie Papazian President Brewers Association

Gary Glass Director American Homebrewers Association

Thank you for supporting House Bill 4061
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Calling your elected officials is easy. A staffer will answer the phone. Tell the staffer your name and where you're from and tell him/her why you're calling and why the issue is important to you. He/she will thank you for your call and that's it. There's nothing to it. It will only take you a minute or two, but it makes all the difference.

- Stott Noble, Homebrewer