NEWS

Bill would protect home-brewers in Louisiana Jay Vise Reporting

A proposed law up for consideration in the Louisiana Legislature would formally regulate the production of "home brew."

If passed into law, the measure would set legal statutory parameters on the production of homemade beer in the state.

The bill has a perhaps unexpected backer: David Blossman, President and owner of Abita Brewing on the Northshore.

Although Blossman's Abita Beer line could face somewhat limited competition by the encouragement of home breweries, Blossman sees it as good business. "I think the more people we have, 'soldiers on the streets,' I call them...spreading the good word about great beer...the better," Blossman said. "Home brewing is just such a fantastic art-meets-science, perspiration, inspiration...it's a great hobby," according to Blossman.

Covington brewer Jack Shugg echoed those sentiments. "I like the legislation, because it does give us parameters to work within," Shugg said. "Right now, the way it's written, it's kind of broad, open-ended, untested...I would welcome it."