Brewhaus founder and volunteer behind the Hobby Distiller’s Association (HDA) Rick Morris is scheduled to meet with Congressman Michael C. Burgess on Tuesday, September 16 in Washington DC. Burgess currently represents Texas’ 26th congressional district and has agreed to meet with Morris regarding a bill that could afford hobby distillers the same legal rights as hobby brewers and winemakers.

One goal of the meeting is to quell any potential concerns related to the effects of legalizing home distilling. Morris hopes to debunk the misconceptions on the dangers of home distillation.

“So many people think distilling ‘makes’ something, they think it’s dangerous,” Morris states. “But it’s really not.”

Meeting with Burgess is a big step forward for the HDA. Many supporters of home distilling rights have become discouraged by previous, half-hearted attempts to legalize home distilling made by other organizations, but this September 16th meeting has restored faith in many naysayers.

“People that were previously blasting our supporters now are actually joined up with the HDA and urging others to do the same,” Morris reports. “They’ve actually said, ‘This is the real deal this time. These guys are serious and pushing it, and it’s not just another flash in the pan that’s going to disappear.’”

Morris is optimistic about what meeting with Burgess can accomplish. “The ultimate goal,” he explains, “is to get the bill to the floor. Potentially, even get them to agree to cosponsor the bill when it hits the floor. I’m trying to get in with Senator John Cornyn while I’m there as well. At the very least, I’d like to walk away with them committed to voting in favor of the bill when it does hit the floor.”

We’ll keep you updated on Morris and the HDA’s progress as we receive more information. In the meantime, we invite you to visit the Hobby Distiller’s Association website to learn more about their cause. The website contains details on each state’s individual laws towards home distilling as well as flyers, proposals, presentations, and other literature that you can download and share. You can even become a member of the HDA.

Let’s work together to make a difference in the rights of home distillers. To quote Benjamin Franklin, “We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.”