Knit one, pearl two. Or, when do I add the yeast?

image by iLoveButter

From home canned tomatoes and home smoked bacon to hand knitted sweaters, we are on a national homemade kick. So, why not make our own beer and wine?

The federal government and most states allow “adults” to make beer and wine in certain quantities for personal and home consumption, but not to be sold. The states that do specifically allow residents to make their own beer and wine follow the federal guidelines for quantities: 200 gallons per household each year (if there are 2 or more adults in a household), or 100 gallons per household each year (if there is only one adult in the household). That’s a lot of beer and wine.

One thing to note is that the federal guidelines are contained in the Internal Revenue Code, and an adult is defined as: “an individual who has attained 18 years of age, or the minimum age ... established by law applicable in the locality…whichever is greater.” See §26 USC 5053(e) and §27 CFR 25.205. Of course, the federal government through coercion has mandated a minimum age of 21, so adults between the ages of 18 and 21 may not benefit from the home beer and wine making allowances.

Unfortunately for residents of Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi making beer and wine at home for your own personal consumption is illegal. In fact, it is illegal in Alabama to even own the equipment to make beer or wine without a license. Does that make everyone with a 20 gallon stock pot in Alabama a criminal? Not quite. There are other uses for such large stock pots; crawdad boil anyone?

Utah only recently passed a law allowing homemade beer and wine for personal consumption. In other states (Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Maine, and Nevada, among others) the laws surrounding home made beer and wine are ambiguous at best. However, enforcement of the anti home vintner and brewer laws are often lax.

For those of you that live in states explicitly allowing you to make your own libations, here are some good sources to help create the best tasting homemade hooch:

Beer:

How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time

The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing

Designing Great Beers: The Ultimate Guide to Brewing Classic Beer Styles

Wine:

The Way to Make Wine: How to Craft Superb Table Wines at Home

The Joy of Home Wine Making

The Home Winemaker's Companion: Secrets, Recipes, and Know-How for Making 115 Great-Tasting Wines