June 9, 2010

Dear AHA, BA and Support Your Local Brewery Members,

The American Homebrewers Association is working with a group of homebrewers in Louisiana to legalize the serving of homebrew in licensed establishments for homebrew events.

House Bill 1484 was passed favorably by the Louisiana Senate Judiciary B Committee on June 8th, and now moves on for a vote before the full Senate. The bill has already been passed by the Louisiana House.

We request that you contact the Senator for your district today to ensure that HB1484 is passed by the Senate. Click here to find contact information for your Senator.

HB 1484, if passed would create a free three-day permit, allowing the possession, serving and consumption of homemade beer, mead and other fermented beverages at businesses licensed for on premises consumption of alcohol. This will allow homebrew clubs to legally have club meetings, competitions and other organized events at bars, restaurants and other licensed establishments.

During business hours, calls to the Senator's receptionist are the most productive means of communication. The calls will be quick and easy. Outside of business hours, emails are a good alternative to calling. Your message should at least relate these points, phrased in your own words:

• Please vote in favor of HB1484 when it comes up for consideration in the Senate.
  
• Louisiana homebrewers are solely seeking to gain legalization of serving homebrewed beer in licensed establishments for homebrew club meetings, competitions and events, which will help us share and improve our craft, so please help us in this effort.

It is up to Louisiana's beer and brewing community to help the homebrew bill move through the legislative process. Please commit to making these communications, and forward this message on to anyone you think would be interested in supporting this cause. Without paid lobbyists, showing strong popular support is the only mechanism that will move this bill forward.

Thank you for your support of Louisiana's homebrewers!

Charlie Papazian President Brewers Association

Gary Glass Director American Homebrewers Association

Support House Bill 1484 to help advance homebrewing legalization in Louisiana.
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Calling legislators is easy. A staffer will answer the phone. Tell the staffer your name and where you're from and tell him/her that you're calling to urge Senator/Representative to support the bill. 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