Texas Judge Removes Old Ban In Place For 156 Years

One Texas judge just got rid of an old ban that had been in place for 156 years, it’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out. If you love making your own beer or alcohol you’re going to love this news.  

We got the details from CHRON, according to the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, you’re allowed to produce your own beer and wine at home if you don’t sell it. But all of your hard alcohols such as whiskey or vodka are not allowed to be made at home. Or at least that had been the case since 1868. 

July 11th the Court Ruling Was Made in Texas 

It was U.S. District Court Judge Mark Pittman who overturned the ban on making homemade alcohol saying that it’s a congressional overreach. Now, this doesn’t mean you and all your neighbors can start making your own alcohol.  

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What Does This Ruling Mean? 

Beginning earlier this month members of the Hobby Distillers Association (HDA) are now allowed to apply for a federal distilling license, state laws are still in place, and the federal government can appeal the ruling. 

This Ruling Goes Beyond Alcohol 

Beyond being able to possibly distill your own alcohol at home there are lots of Texans that love this judge's ruling for another reason. This begins to take away a very little bit of government regulation. Although to be clear, current laws in Texas state that no person may own distillation equipment or produce spirits without a commercial license. 

I will say, the big companies also do a good job of mass-producing hard alcohol, so you can always stop by the local liquor store if you don’t feel like distilling your own.