Home brewers and home winemakers.

Existing law authorizes a person to manufacture beer or wine for personal or family use without the need for a license or permit, as provided. Existing law authorizes the removal of beer or wine from the premises where made for personal or family use, for specified purposes, including at bona fide competitions or exhibitions. Existing law also authorizes these products to be removed from the premises when donated to a nonprofit organization for sale at a fundraising event, but excludes from this authorization nonprofit organizations that either promote home brewing or home winemaking or that are primarily composed of home brewers or home winemakers, as specified. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act provides that a violation of any of its provisions for which another penalty or punishment is not specifically provided is a misdemeanor. This bill would permit the removal and use of home brewed beer or homemade wine in connection with a bona fide competition or judging or a bona fide exhibition or tasting. The bill would also allow nonprofit organizations that promote home brewing to serve beer at fundraising events subject to specified conditions, including requiring an educational component to the event and limiting the nonprofit organization to 2 of these types of events that serve beer pursuant to this authorization per year. The bill would require this beer or wine to be served within a clearly identified area that has a physical barrier with a monitored point of entry and would prohibit commercial manufacturers from selling beer or wine in this area. By expanding the definition of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.