My name is Scott Davidson. I am the President and Founder of the Fermentologists, a local homebrewing club in Centennial. I am asking for your support petitioning Colorado State Legislators and the Governor to fix an outdated law. We need their help in drafting a bill to support homebrewers and small businesses in Colorado.

In September 2013, our club was founded to provide homebrewers with an organization dedicated to improving knowledge, facilitating community involvement, and creating a resource for networking and career opportunities in the brewing industry. Our club meets monthly to discuss upcoming events, listen to guest speakers from industry professionals, and to share homebrewed beer to discuss improving our recipes and techniques with fellow brewers. Unfortunately, homebrewers are unable to hold events or meetings with their homebrewed beer at breweries that are not brew pubs because of antiquated laws. These laws prevent individuals from bringing a beer into a brewery that was not produced by that brewery. In fact, these breweries have been fined exorbitant amounts for simply having another brewer’s beer in their refrigerator, often for research or for collaboration on a recipe.

We are asking that the Colorado Legislation help our club write a bill that would legalize the ability of a brewery to maintain a distributor’s license, but one that allows for the consumption of any fermented product on premises. This distinction is important, because some members also produce cider, mead, or wine, all of which are legal to produce at home. It should be noted that our intent in drafting this law would not be to allow a brewery or individuals to sell or distribute any product for profit, but simply to allow responsible individuals to share their craft with others in a brewery.

We believe that this bill is a critical missing piece that will foster a new relationship between professionals and amateurs and one that embodies the spirit of collaboration and entrepreneurship that our state is known for.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our club, please email info@thefermentologists.com.

Thank you,
Scott Davidson