This morning, the Georgia House of Representatives approved House Bill 99 by a vote of 151-4. The bill is sponsored by freshman Representative/Unconfirmed Homebrew Imbiber Jason Spencer (R-Woodbine). Debate was lively and good-natured, and there was little opposition.

HB 99, which I am referring to as the Homebrewer Rights Bill, makes several provisions loosening regulations on homebrewing in Georgia. Here are the key parts of the bill:

• Raises the maximum amount of beer a person can brew yearly from 50 gallons to 100 gallons (200 gallons if two people of legal drinking age live in the household).

• Legalizes homebrew competitions as well as the transportation of homebrewed beer to said competitions. It is currently illegal to transport homebrewed beer or consume it anywhere other than the household where it was produced.

• Establishes a permitting process for homebrew competitions and legalizes consumption of homebrewed beer at these events.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

The bill still has to be passed out of the Senate and signed by the governor. I’ll keep you posted as it moves through the higher chamber.