Homebrewers facing Catch-22 in Mississippi

Homebrewers facing Catch-22

Catch-22 would be a good name for beer brewed at home in Mississippi.

The attorney general says home-brewing is legal in the state with a permit from the Department of Revenue. But here’s the catch: State tax officials say the law doesn’t allow permits specifically for home-brewers.

There are permits for commercial brewers and brewpubs, each running $1,000. And home-brewers arguably would also owe an excise tax of 42.68 cents for each gallon of beer brewed. Breaking the law is a misdemeanor that carries fines of up to $500 and jail time of up to six months. And here’s what would probably sting the homebrewers even worse: The police could seize the beer.

AP
12/25/12