Arizona Society of Homebrewers

AZ Nano-Brewery laws

A Micro-Brewery license requires the operation to make over 5000 gallons a year.

If I google, I see several nano breweries in AZ that are all "in process". I suspect this means they are home brewing and obviously not selling beer.

So does anyone know if there has been any talk of a nano-brew license in AZ?

I suspect the 3-tier distribution system makes it quite difficult to sell to any off-premise customers (it wouldn't be worth the hassle to the distributor)

I'm sure SOMEone has looked into this, yes?

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2012 BoardPermalink Reply by Rob Fullmer on July 19, 2011 at 5:16pm
There's no "requirement" that you brew 5000 gallons but you may be taxed at that level. That would be a cost of doing business and you'd have to account for it in your plan.
Permalink Reply by Justin Rawleigh on July 19, 2011 at 5:22pm

This link has some good info, but not on laws: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Home-Brewery-a-Commercial-Nanobrewery

 

Maybe this will inform as well, but not sure. http://www.ttb.gov/beer/qualify.shtml

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bauman on July 19, 2011 at 5:44pm
From the DLLC website:

"This non-transferable liquor license allows for on & off-sale retail privileges for a licensed microbrewery which produces more than five thousand (5,000) gallons, and less than one million two hundred forty thousand (1,240,000) gallons, of beer"

Now, that is not ALWAYS the whole story... But couldn't they yank your license if you don't produce 5000 gallons?
Permalink Reply by Andrew Bauman on July 19, 2011 at 5:50pm
Oh, and for the record- this is just because I keep hearing "in the know" people discuss "friends" who are opening nano-breweries and it grates on my nerves. Sadly, not because I am planning on opening one.

I DO want to know what the cost and process and legal requirements would be. It's the former restaurant owner in me.

2012 BoardPermalink Reply by Rob Fullmer on July 19, 2011 at 6:03pm

There is a de-facto nano already in Benson for at least a year.

I also find it hard to believe that people are drinking more than 322 Half Barrels of Arriba's beer.

 

They won't yank it in year 1 or 2 because:

1) No one starts out of the gate in year 1 on Jan 1

2) They're DLLC not out to run you out of business, at best they'll tax you on the full 5K gallons to avoid doing math.

 


2012 BoardPermalink Reply by Dennis Tsonis on July 19, 2011 at 7:39pm
I haven't studied this, but I think MN has a nano brewery law.
Permalink Reply by Chris Soper on July 20, 2011 at 12:08am
That's helpful.  lol

Dennis Tsonis said:
I haven't studied this, but I think MN has a nano brewery law.

2012 BoardPermalink Reply by Rob Fullmer on July 20, 2011 at 9:42am

It's actually relevant.

Most states have laws for "micro breweries" that were put in place in the period after New Albion/SierraNevada. These would be licenses that were designed around new breweries that were not the industrial giants.

 

Some state are being asked to create legislation that define "nano breweries", breweries that are smaller than micro. In most cases they aren't necessary. Other than the Tax consideration, which so far has proven to be a non-issue, nanos don't require a state law change. Most of the friction will be with municipal laws and zoning which is largely outside of the purview of state law.

 



Chris Soper said:

That's helpful.  lol

Dennis Tsonis said:
I haven't studied this, but I think MN has a nano brewery law.

2012 BoardPermalink Reply by Tom Boggan on July 20, 2011 at 9:46am

Here's info on New Hampshire which just passed a nanobrewing bill:

 

http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=7880.0

 

and the bill:

 

http://www.nhliberty.org/bills/view/2011/HB262

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bauman on July 20, 2011 at 11:36am

Thanks everyone! Very helpful stuff.

 

Now I can probably sleep better, knowing the facts :)

 

And I've always THOUGHT- "Sheesh, it's really more the city and the health department that is gonna be a pain.  The DLLC is just there to get the $"

 

:)

 

(why oh why do I have to like brewing so darn much...) 

Permalink Reply by Jeremy Jones on July 20, 2011 at 12:04pm

Is this research being done in hopes of growing your homebrew setup a little larger?

 

Permalink Reply by Andrew Bauman on July 20, 2011 at 12:20pm
Nah.  The wife has always had dreams of opening a wine/coffee place, and I was wondering how a very small operation like that could do their own brews legally.  And then I hear about all these people opening nano-breweries in AZ, and I think... "But HOW?!?!" I guess the answer is just pay the tax on 5000 gallons and suck-it-up

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