Brewhaus founded the Hobby Distillers Association with a goal of changing federal legislation to give hobby distilling the same legal standing as hobby brewing and winemaking.

We met with federal House Representatives, Senators, the head of the TTB, and even the Secretary of the Treasury.  This all resulted in our effort becoming part of a major craft beverage bill in 2015.  Below is an excerpt from our announcement of this achievement.

UPDATE! The bills currently before the Senate (S1562) AND the House (HR2903) include the HDA’s section on legalizing home distilling: specifically SEC. 502. EXEMPTION OF HOME DISTILLERY ESTABLISHMENTS FROM CERTAIN TAXATION AND BONDING REQUIREMENTS.

Unfortunately, despite widespread bipartisan support, with more than 50% of the House and Senate co-sponsoring the bill, pushback by the beverage industry resulted in the bill never being put to the floor.  The bill was reintroduced the following year with our provision removed, and it was quickly put to the floor for a vote, passing with overwhelming support.

In 2023, the Hobby Distillers Association, with help from the Competitive Enterprise Institute, filed a lawsuit against the federal government and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).  On July 10, 2024 the ruling came in, in favor of the Hobby Distillers Association.  At that time we felt that the Association needed to become its own entity, so we filed the paperwork for the HDA to become a non-profit organization, separate from Brewhaus.

THE WORK HAS JUST BEGUN!

The Hobby Distillers Association has a lot to do.  Hobby distilling is still illegal in many states.  Help us to change that by popping over to the Hobby Distillers Association website and joining the fight by becoming a member.

LET’S FINISH THIS!