"I wrote to my representative and congressman a few weeks ago about supporting USC 26. A few minutes ago I was called back about it. If you think they aren't listening, I hope this changes your mind.

He wanted to know why I wanted the change to occur and more about it - beyond the law itself. I explained that for many of us, it's a hobby. More So, it's a scientific experiment every time we make a batch of brew because there are exact temperatures and times involved, measuring different ingredients and adding them at the right time, and of course osmosis.

Distilling continues this to the next level, providing a clear liquid that can be flavored with any number of items.

His concern was mass production of brewed and distilled batches. I explained that it takes a significant amount of time and effort to brew and distill anything. People aren't going to build a huge distillery in their garage or backyard - in fact, just the opposite. This is for personal consumption only.

The changes simply allow us to go the extra step to making distilled products. I reminded him that Americans came to the new world making our own distilled products and that it's silly that we aren't permitted to do what our forefathers did all those centuries ago. He brought up that it's dangerous to make moonshine.

I explained that with adapting USC 26 to allow distillation instead of people hiding, the danger is virtually non-existent. Technology allows us to measure the level of alcohol and to purchase stainless steel equipment that does not emit poisonous elements when distilling as was the case in the old days. It's a whole new world out there.

He not only learned a lot, I invited him to this forum and to contact and read comments to get a better feel about the subject and to contact Rick at Brewhaus.

So, for my first posting, this is it. Please write your congressmen and women. They listen. My call was proof.

TAG! Your it! Now go write an email!
Mike"

"Mike,
Do you mind telling us what state you live in and the name of the congresman you spoke with - I just want to add it to the list. None of your personal info will be revealed -we don't know any of that stuff to start with and don't want to. Alli"

Yep, I am in the process of defining a msAccess data base/Excel App to track batches all from the grain to the glass.. As you said, it's required.. Eight weeks, eh? Uggh

Yep 8 weeks before my amendment took affect. You see any time you get a new distilling tower or distiller, it has to be registered and in order to do that you must create an amendment to your current license. I had to play 20 questions and wait 8 weeks. It was a long 8 weeks.



I was told by a local distillery you're better off buying a distilling program instead of the beer brewing programs that are out there. He said they aint cheap either.

if you need help beta testing I'll volunteer :)

That would be nice for the hobbyist to have a program that they can use for small scale distilling. You should really market that because it's needed. As far as what's going on down there, I wouldn't know. I haven't been to Dallas in years. I drove an 18 wheeler for a living and Texas was one of my favorite places.



Already a volunteer.



The program is needed but for fuel you'll be using wine gallons which is equal to a standard U.S. Gallon.

Kool deal man. Proof gallons is for distilled spirits only and it's calculated compeletely different compared to wine gallons. Here's the formula:

proof X gallons divided by 100 = proof gallons (190 proof = 1.9 in the formula).

^ I hope this will help out some.

Kool deal. You're from Virginia too? Mark Warner might listen.

That is some really good news. Hopefully they'll pass it on to other law makers who can see the benefits of legalizing home distilling. It would eliminate the black market which causes more problems than we can think of. Do you think that they'll pass it on?