Board toughens brew-tasting rule

BEND, Ore. – The Oregon Liquor Control Commission’s new interpretation of an old law is placing restrictions on homemade beer and wine: It effectively bans judged competitions and home-brewing club tasting nights.

At issue is a statute that forbids the production of alcoholic beverages by anyone not licensed by the commission.

But the law excludes “the making or keeping of naturally fermented wines and fruit juices or beer in the home, for home consumption and not for sale.”

The Oregon State Fair cites the new interpretation of the phrase “home consumption” for canceling this year’s beer and wine competitions.