November 4, 2013

Dear Chair Nadal Power and members of the Comisin de Hacienda y Finanzas Pblicas,

My name is Gary Glass; I am Director of the American Homebrewers Association (AHA), based in
Boulder, CO.

The AHA is a division of the Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade association representing
Americas small, independent brewers, including homebrewers. The AHA is a membership
organization with 40,000 members from around the country, including 42 members in Puerto
Rico. The AHA estimates that there are nearly 1,200,000 Americans that make beer at home,
over 1000 of whom live in Puerto Rico.

Senate Bill 776 is a fair bill that if passed would legalize a hobby that is legal in all 50 states and
that has been federally legal since 1979.

Homebrewers are upstanding citizens. Based on surveys of the members of the American
Homebrewers Association, 95 percent are college educated, more than 50 percent describe
their occupation as technical/professional, and 83 percent are married. When asked why they
homebrew, AHA members point to the artistic expression and/or the scientific aspects of the
brewing process.

Homebrewers are responsible consumers of alcohol. The hobby of homebrewing is all about
crafting flavorful and aromatic beer that is meant to be savored. It is not a hobby for those
simply looking to get intoxicated there are much cheaper and more readily available means for
people to drink alcohol than homebrewing.

There are strong economic reasons for passing this bill. The hobby has seen double-digit growth
for the past several years. Based on surveys of homebrew retailers in the U.S., the AHA has
found that homebrew supply shops averaged 29% in annual revenue growth in 2012 and we are
anticipating similar growth in 2013. This is a rare example of an industry that is flourishing in a
generally sluggish economy.

The homebrewing community also serves to train the future professional brewers. The Brewers
Association estimates that at least 90% of professional brewers in the United States got their
start as homebrewers. Homebrewers are also opening the majority of the small craft breweries
being founded in the United States. Currently there are more than 1600 breweries-in-planning
around the country another example of a rare thriving industry, and one that is dependent on
the homebrewing community for its continued growth.

Because the professional and amateur brewing communities are so tightly knit, homebrewers
serve as the strongest supporters of their local breweries. They not only seek out locally made
craft beers at their favorite establishments, but also encourage their friends and families to
support local breweries and retailers that sell locally made beer.

A growing local craft brewing industry will have a positive impact on tourism. With the growth
of craft breweries across the country, many U.S. citizens are now seeking out destinations with
small, independent local breweries to visit. Legalizing homebrewing in Puerto Rico is an
important step in creating an environment where local craft breweries will succeed.

Thus, a vibrant homebrewing community will help Puerto Rican small businesses flourish.
Stifling the community of homebrewers by not passing Senate Bill 776 would prevent Puerto
Rico from benefiting from the kind of growth in homebrew retailer businesses and small
breweries that the rest of the country is experiencing.

In conclusion, I strongly urge you to pass Senate Bill 776, not only is it the right thing to do for
Puerto Ricos homebrewers, but passage of Senate Bill 776 will prove beneficial to Puerto Ricos
business community as well.

Sincerely,

Gary Glass
Director, American Homebrewers Association
gary@brewersassociation.org
303.447.0816 x 121