-- The Alabama Senate tonight gave final passage to the homebrewing bill, possibly ending Alabama's status as the only state in which homebrewing is still illegal.

"Alabama is literally the last state that makes homebrew legal, assuming the governor signs it,"said Sen. Bill Holtzclaw,R-Madison.

The Senate approved the bill on an 18-7 vote.

The bill now goes to Gov. Robert Bentley for his signature.

Holtzclaw said he thought Bentley was "fine" with the legislation but noted nothing was official until the governor makes his decision.

"As with all bills, we will conduct a thorough review once the bill reaches the governor's office," Bentley Press Secretary Jennifer Ardis wrote in an email.

The bill, by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville, would allow those 21 and older to make up to 15 gallons of beer, wine, mead or cider every three months for personal use. It would not be legal in dry counties or dry cities.

Brewing enthusiasts across the state rallied for the legislation and the bill was championed by two legislators from the Huntsville area. It was opposed by the faith-based Alabama Citizen Action Program.

Holtzclaw said some professionals move to Alabama and are shocked to discover that their brewing hobby is against the law.

"In our area we have a lot of engineers and a lot of guys who think outside the box and like to put those skills to use," Holtzclaw said.

Holtzclaw said those who work for NASA or Redstone Arsenal might be putting their security clearance at risk by breaking the law.

Asked if he was a homebrewer, Holtzclaw said he wasn't.

"It's kind of like owning a boat. I don't own a boat, but I have a lot of friends with really nice boats," he said.

Mississippi recently lifted a ban on homebrewing.

Holtzclaw says Alabama has an opportunity to beat Mississippi since the Mississippi bill has a 90-day wait period to become effective and the Alabama bill would go into effect immediately with the governor's signature.