U.S. Congress passes beer resolution. Oklahoma rejoices. Louisiana drives.

"You can't just have one [favorite beer]" says U.S. Congresswoman Betsy Markey (CO)
toasted American Craft Beer with her House Resolution 1297 which passed this week.
Photo courtesy of AP

Yesterday, the United States House of Representative paused a moment to toast American Craft Beer Week  (“The Mother of All Beer Weeks”) by passing House Resolution 1297  .  Congressional Representative Betsy Markey (CO) jumped at the opportunity to salute "the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week" by introducing her American Craft Beer Resolution less than one month ago. As reported on Politico.com Markey is asked what is her favorite beer. Being from Colorado she is somewhat partial to brews from her home state of Colorado, but she won't claim a favorite. “You can't just have one," said Markey. "It really depends on what mood you're in. Sometimes, I like a light beer — I might want a Skinny Dip — or otherwise prefer a heavier brew." Politico.com contemplates, “The real question is: Why would anyone vote against this?”   "It does seem like a no brainer," said Markey.

Within two weeks of introducing the resolution she enjoyed the bipartisan support of over 60 other members of Congress. In general, sixty is considered the “go-ahead” number for such feel good resolutions.  And feel good beer drinkers do as the bill passes in the midst of American Craft Beer Week, May 17-23. 

At the official American Craft Beer Week Facebook fan site, there are currently over 21,000 fans, ten thousand of which have come on only recently. At Americancraftbeerweek.org there are over 500 events from 300 breweries in 45 states are posted.

Meanwhile it’s been one week since Oklahomans have been celebrating the decriminalization of the homebrew hobby.  The American Homebrewers Association reports “House Bill 2348, sponsored by Representative Colby Schwartz and Senator Mike Schulz, officially legalized the home production of beer for personal use in Oklahoma.  The passage of HB 2348 leaves Alabama and Mississippi as the only remaining states where the homebrewing hobby is not yet legal. The U.S. government made homebrewing legal on a federal level in 1979.”

Oklahoma State Representative Colby Schwartz (Photo left) is happy, “…it was an honor to author the legislation.”

Check out Oklahoma City Homebrewing Examiner Gary Shellman's coverage at House Bill 2348 Signed Into Law by Oklahoma Governor.

In Louisiana, homebrewers are encouraged that legislation has been introduced which would  legalize the serving of homebrew in licensed establishments for homebrew events.  This will allow homebrew clubs to legally have club meetings, competitions and other organized events at bars, restaurants and other licensed establishments.