On October 14, 1978 President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, signed HR1337 into law.
On the surface, there was nothing extraordinary about HR1337 - it was a bill amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 with respect to an excise tax on certain trucks, buses, tractors, et cetera.
However, buried within HR1337 was a tiny amendment to USC Title 26 (Internal Revenue Code - Alcohol, Tobacco, and Certain Other Excise Taxes). This tiny amendment, by adding the words "and beer" to USC Title 26 made it possible for Americans to legally beer in their own homes.
Resistance to the 1978 amendment to USC Title 26 was negligible. Only three members of the House of Representatives (one of whom was James Danforth Quayle) voted against adding the words "and beer" to the law.
Forty-four years, nine months, and eleven days after the repeal of Prohibition, the 95th Congress stepped up to the plate and made it possible for honest American citizens to once again legally brew honest beer in the sanctity of their own homes.
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95th Congress (1977–1979)
Senate: 61 Democrats / 38 Republicans / I Independent
House: 292 Democrats / 143 Republicans
Montana Delegation
Max Baucus, US House of Representatives
Lee Metcalf, US Senate
John Melcher, US Senate
Ron Marlenee, US House of Representatives |
Note to Self: Never play trivial pursuit with Hal. 
Interesting factoid.
I am curious if Prsidient Carter knew that the words "and beer" were in the bill? Apparently his brother did. Anyone remember "Billy Beer"?
[This message has been edited by Richard Bonine, Jr (edited 10/14/2006).] |
Trivia!
Richard, there is nothing trivial about being able to legally brew beer in the sanctity of one's own home.
I don't if Carter was aware of the amendment to USC Title 26 or not. There was some controversy surrounding the amendment. Representatives from ATF lobbied against the amendment. ATF's position was that the mash produced during the brewing process could be diverted and used as a precursor for distilling moonshine. So it's possible that enough buzz was generated that Carter was aware of the amendment.
[This message has been edited by Hal Neumann (edited 10/14/2006).] |
Homebrew currently in primary fermentors:
Imperial India Pale Ale
Classic American Pilsener
Belgian Strong Dark Ale
Homebrew on tap in kegs:
American Pale Ale
Belgian Dubbel
American Cream Ale
Rye India Pale Ale
Homebrew lagering in kegs:
Baltic Porter
Recently bottled:
Scottish Wee Heavy
English Old Ale
Meads aging in carboys:
Agave Nectar Mead
Traditional Mead
Blackberry mead
Cyser
Spiced mead (cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans)
sour cherry mead
Next to brew:
Oatmeal stout |
Gunnar: The Baltic Porter, Scottish Wee Heavy, and Oatmeal stout sound very interesting.  |
I've got enough Rye ale to float a battleship that I'm just about ready to dive into. Based on early samples it's a tasty brew. I've a Scot's ale bubbling away at the moment too. Next up in the schedule are Porters and Stouts to chase away those mid-winter blues.
I'm finishing off the last odds and ends of the summer brews - including a hopped up honey amber that I brewed for the Missoula County Dem's annual fall picnic. It was a good ale, almost too good to have shared like that
I've a bunch of chokecherries in the freezer, I'm trying to decide whether to put down a batch chokecherry mead or wine. |
Richard, the Wee Heavy started at an original gravity of 1.112, finished at a gravity of 1.022, to end at 13% alcohol by volume. My sip of the hydrometer sample indicates overly sweet with a rocket fuel after bite. I think it will be drinkable in about 2 years.
The baltic porter is a bit lower in test strength, original gravity of 1.085. I have not been able to check on it, as it has been lagering in a mine adit at 45°F at 8000 feet msl since June. Right now I am on the fence on whether to bring it down to bottle in the next 3 weeks (before snow closes off the access for the winter), or just leave it up there to age some more until next May. |
On this date in 1978, Hal Neumann, 10/14/2006 5:57:14 AM
RE: On this date in 1978, Richard Bonine, Jr, 10/14/2006 6:08:49 AM
- WY