SB538 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Bill Holtzclaw

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Beer, mead, cider, and table wine, home brewing in limited amounts by person 21 years of age or older for personal use authorized, Class B felony for violations, penalties, convicted felon prohibited from home brewing, Sec. 28-3-1 am'd

Summary

SB538 would let 21+ adults legally home-brew a limited amount of beer, mead, cider, and table wine for personal use, ban felons from home brewing, and define mead and cider, while addressing local-funding considerations.

What This Bill Does

If passed, the bill allows a person 21 or older to produce a limited amount of home-brewed beverages at their residence for personal use, up to 15 gallons per calendar quarter with a residence-wide cap. Produced beverages may not be sold and may only be removed from the home in quantities up to 10 gallons per event, or transported to licensed homebrew competition events under a special events license (without sale). It also makes it unlawful for anyone under 21 to purchase, possess, transport, or obtain equipment related to home brewing, and it prohibits felons from home brewing, with violations punished as Class B misdemeanors. The bill would add definitions for mead and cider to the state’s alcoholic beverage laws and notes how local-funding considerations relate to Amendment 621, though it states the bill is exempt from those requirements due to crime-definition changes.

Who It Affects

• Adults 21 years and older who choose to home brew, who would be allowed to produce a limited amount at home under specified quantity limits and not sell it.
• Individuals convicted of a felony, who would be prohibited from home brewing under the bill.
• Persons under 21 years old, who would be prohibited from purchasing, possessing, transporting, or obtaining equipment for home brewing.
• Local governments and related entities, which the bill acknowledges may involve local-funding considerations but states it is exempt from certain constitutional requirements.

Key Provisions

• Section 1: Allows a 21+ person to produce beer, mead, cider, and table wine at home for personal use, up to 15 gallons per quarter per residence, with a residence-wide cap of 15 gallons; prohibits sale or removal from the residence except up to 10 gallons per event for transport to licensed homebrew competitions; organized events require a special events retail license but cannot involve sale of alcohol.
• Section 1: Prohibits under-21 individuals from purchasing, possessing, transporting, or obtaining equipment related to home brewing; prohibits providing equipment to those under 21.
• Section 1: Adds definitions and states that the act applies where not prohibited by dry/wet status of counties or municipalities; violations are Class B misdemeanors.
• Section 2: Amends Section 28-3-1 to add definitions for Mead and Cider (and to clarify terms related to alcoholic beverages, beer, table wine, etc.).
• Section 3: Addresses Amendment 621 (local funds); states the bill is excluded from requiring local entity approvals or 2/3 votes because it defines a new crime or amends a crime definition.
• Section 4: The act would become effective immediately upon passage and approval by the governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alcoholic Beverages