List of breweries in Alabama

Breweries in Alabama produce a wide range of beers in different styles that are marketed locally and regionally. In 2012 Alabama's then 17 breweries, importers, brewpubs, and company-owned packagers and wholesalers employed 60 people directly, and another 12,300 in related jobs such as wholesaling and retailing.^[1] Including people directly employed in brewing, as well as those who supply Alabama's breweries with everything from ingredients to machinery, the total business and personal tax revenue generated by Alabama's breweries and related industries was more than $259 million.^[1] Consumer purchases of Alabama's brewery products generated another $205 million in tax revenue.^[2] In 2012, according to the Brewers Association, Alabama ranked 49th in per capita craft breweries with 10.^[3]

For context, at the end of 2013 there were 2,822 breweries in the United States, including 2,768 craft breweries.^[4] In that same year, according to the Beer Institute, the brewing industry employed around 43,000 Americans in brewing and distribution and had a combined economic impact of more than $246 billion.^[5]

Beer brewing was thriving in Alabama prior to 1909, when Prohibition laws banned the industry.^[6] As a result, for much of the 20th century, and until the law was changed in 2009, beer with an alcohol content greater than 6% (alcohol by volume) was unlawful in the state. The Brewery Modernization Act was signed into law in 2011, reforming many former restrictions on breweries' ability to provide a tap room and restrictive regulations regarding brewpubs. The Legal ABV limit of beer in Alabama is currently 13.9%. According to The New Yorker when discussing beer production, "from 2011 to 2012, annual production grew faster in the South than just about anywhere else, with the fastest-growing producers including Alabama (first out of all fifty states)..."^[7]

Breweries

• Avondale Brewing Company^{[8][9][10][11]} – Birmingham
• Back Forty Beer Company^[10][11][12] – Gadsden
• Band of Brothers Brewery^[13] – Tuscaloosa
• Below the Radar Brewhouse^[11][14] – Huntsville
• Black Warrior Brewing Company^[15] – Tuscaloosa
• Blue Pants Brewery^{[10][11][14][16][17]} – Madison
• Cahaba Brewing Company^[11][18] – Birmingham
• Chattahoochee Brewing Company^[19] – Phenix City
• Cheaha Brewing Company^[20] – Anniston
• Druid City Brewing Company^[11][21][22] – Tuscaloosa
• Fairhope Brewing Company^[11][23][24] – Fairhope
• Folklore Brewing and Meadery^[25] – Dothan
• Ghost Train Brewing^[26] – Birmingham
• Goat Island^[27] - Cullman
• Good People Brewing Company^[10][11][28] – Birmingham
• Green Bus Brewing^[29] – Huntsville
• Mad Malts ^[30] (formerly "The Brew Stooges")^[14][31] – Huntsville
• Main Channel Brewing ^[32] – Guntersville
• Old Black Bear Brewing Company^[11][14][33] – Madison
• Patriot Joe's Ale^[34] – Anniston
• The Railyard Brewing Company^[11][35] – Montgomery
• Red Clay Brewing Company^[36] – Opelika
• Rocket Republic Brewing Company^[14][37] – Madison
• Salty Nut Brewery^[14][38] – Huntsville
• Singin' River Brewing^[39] - Florence
• Straight to Ale Brewing^{[10][11][14][40][41]} – Huntsville
• Trim Tab Brewing Company^[42] – Birmingham
• Yellowhammer Brewing^[11][14][43] – Huntsville

Former breweries

• Alabama Brewing Company^[44][45] – operated by Isadore Newman, Arthur Isnard and A. Cammack from 1897 to 1908 (and manufacturing ice until 1917)
• Barrett's Brewpub^[46] – 1990's
• Beer Engineers ^[47] contracted brewed at Back Forty Brewing 2012-2014 and was to open facilities in Birmingham
• Birmingham Brewery / Philipp Schillinger Brewing Company^[44][45] – operated in Birmingham by Philipp Schillinger and his sons from 1884 to 1908
• Birmingham Brewing Company (1889–1893)^[45] – operated by W. I. Rushton from 1889 to 1893
• Birmingham Brewing Company (1992–1998)^[48][49] – operating from 1992 to 1998; its brands, Vulcan and Red Mountain, continued to be contract-brewed until 2001
• Blue Moose Cafe & Brewpub^[50] – Cullman, AL
• Breckenridge Brewery^[51] – 1990s
• Dothan Brewing Company^[52] – operating in 2006 in Dothan
• The Huntsville Brewery^[53] – operating 2013-2014 in Huntsville
• Hurricane Brewing Company^[54][55] – operating 2006-2009 in Mobile
• Little Star Brewing Corp. / Mad Monk Beer Company^[56] – founded 1995 in Birmingham
• Magic City Brewery^[57] – brew pub operating from 1995 to 2000 in Birmingham
• Mr. Jim's Cannon Brewpub^[55][58] – operating from 2004-2006 in Mobile
• Montgomery Brewing Company^[59][60] – operated from 1995-2010 in Montgomery
• Olde Auburn Ale House^[61][62] – was in operation from February 2000 until 2009 in Auburn, when its brewery was contracted out to a company in Atlanta; from that point, the microbrews sold at the Ale House were produced in Atlanta
• Olde Towne Brewing Company^[63] – operating from 2004-2011 in Huntsville
• Poplar Head Mule Company^[64] – operating from 1995-2002 in Dothan
• Port City Brewery^[55] – first brewpub in Alabama, 1990s
• Southside Cellar Brewing Company^[65] – operating in the mid-late 1990s
• Vulcan Breweries Company^[66][67] – operating in the late 1990s in Birmingham

Beer regulation

The Code of Alabama defines beer as being fermented malt liquor containing between 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) and 13.9% ABV.^[68] Before 2009, beer in Alabama was limited to 6% ABV or less.^[69] The only other states with similarly low limits were Mississippi and West Virginia.

Beer, except draft or keg beer, sold by retailers must be sold or dispensed in bottles, cans or other containers not to exceed 25.4 ounces (750 ml). Prior to the passage of legislation in 2012, container size was limited to 16 ounces.^[70]

Brewpubs

Brewpubs in Alabama must be located in an historic building or site, in a wet county or wet municipality, in which county beer was brewed for public consumption prior to the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1919.

By law, beer brewed by a brewpub cannot be possessed, sold or dispensed except on the premises where it is brewed. Brewpub beer also cannot be packaged or contained in other than barrels from which the beer is to be dispensed.

The brewpub must contain and operate a restaurant with a seating capacity of not less than 80.

"Free The Hops" movement

In 2006 and 2007 a grassroots lobbying organization called "Free The Hops"^[71] introduced bills in the state House and Senate, intending to raise the limit on beer to 13.9% ABV. The bill was passed and signed into law in May 2009.^[72]

The movement to raise the ABV limit on beer in Alabama followed similar movements in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Those states also had 5% and 6% ABV limits on beer until recently: Georgia raised its ABV limit to 14% in 2004,^[73] North Carolina raised to 15% in 2005,^[74] and South Carolina raised to 17.5% in 2007.^[75]

On May 9, 2012, the Alabama house passed Senate Bill 294, allowing the sale of beer containers up to 25.4 ounces, effective August 1, 2012, into law. Governor Robert Bentley signed the bill on May 16, 2012.^[76]

Homebrewing

On May 9, 2013 Alabama governor Bentley signed HB9 into law,^[77] allowing Alabama residents to legally homebrew beer. Alabama became the 49th state to legalize homebrewing. Mississippi's legislature passed a law to legalize homebrewing, however it took effect months after Alabama's law did. Alabama residents are limited to 15 gallons of production per quarter and no more than 15 gallon on premises at one time. Residents of dry counties, dry municipalities, minors and convicted felons are still prohibited from producing homebrewed beer.

Brewers Association

Formed in 2009, the Alabama Brewers Guild exists to promote the common interests of its members and the craft brewing industry in Alabama. The core membership of the guild consists of licensed Alabama breweries and brewpubs actively engaged in the brewing of craft beer at a facility located in the state of Alabama.^[78]

See also

• Beer in the United States
• List of breweries in the United States
• List of microbreweries

References

1. "The Economic Impact of the Beer Industry--State Legislative & Congressional District Data, Alabama". The Beer Institute. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
2. "The Economic Impact of the Beer Industry--2012 Data, Alabama". The Beer Institute. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
3. "Capita per Brewery" (PDF). Brewers Association.
4. "Brewers Association Announces 2013 Craft Brewer Growth". Retrieved 14 May 2014.
5. "Beer Serves America". The Beer Institute. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
6. White, Richard (2016). "Death and re-birth of Alabama beer". Business History. 58 (5): 785–795. doi:10.1080/00076791.2015.1024230. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
7. Fromson, Daniel. "Idea of the Week: Mapping the Rise of Craft Beer". The New Yorker. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
8. "Avondale Brewing Company bringing life to a historic Birmingham neighborhood". Press-Register. Alabama Media Group. April 4, 2012.
9. "Avondale Brewing Co. captures gold, silver medals in international competition". Alabama Media Group. The Huntsville Times. January 16, 2014.
10. "Alabama's Best Craft Beer". Southern Living. May 15, 2012.
11. "'Alabama Beer Trail' experts share the best of what's brewing throughout the state". Alabama Media Group. April 15, 2013.
12. "Back Forty Beer Co. taps into history of craft brewing". The Gadsden Times. October 21, 2012.
13. "Band of Brothers Brewing Co. to become Tuscaloosa's third beer crafter in past 5 years". Tuscaloosa News. 10 June 2015.
14. "Happy brew year: 8 Huntsville-area beer-makers talk recent and early 2014 releases". Alabama Media Group. January 8, 2014.
15. "Black Warrior Brewing Company glad there's room for two breweries in Tuscaloosa". Alabama Media Group. November 20, 2013.
16. "At Madison's Blue Pants Brewery, it's all about family". Press-Register. Alabama Media Group. April 18, 2012.
17. "Blue Pants Brewery in Madison expands beer distribution footprint in Mississippi, Memphis". Alabama Media Group. January 9, 2014.
18. "Crafting a Family of Beers". Birmingham Magazine. Alabama Media Group. June 26, 2013.
19. "New brewpub opening in Phenix City". Opelika-Auburn News. January 26, 2013.
20. "Opening of brewpub hearkens back to Anniston's pre-Prohibition days". The Anniston Star. August 9, 2013.
21. "T-Town taproom: Druid City Brewing Co. serves beer where it's made". The Tuscaloosa News. July 7, 2013.
22. "Druid City Brewing Company opens new taproom". Alabama Media Group. July 9, 2013.
23. "Inside the Fairhope Brewing Company". Alabama Media Group. February 1, 2013.
24. "Discover the Fairhope Brewing Company". WPMI-TV. August 2, 2013.
25. "Folklore Brewery Answers some questions from The Local". The Local. December 31, 2013.
26. Kelly Poe (May 22, 2015). "Ghost Train Brewing to open in Birmingham, hit shelves in July". Alabama Media Group.
27. "Goat Island Brewing: The Beer Next Door". CullmanSense. May 20, 2015.
28. "Good things brewing at Birmingham's Good People Brewing Company". Press-Register. Alabama Media Group. March 21, 2012.
29. Lucy Berry (August 4, 2015). "Green Bus Brewing to launch brewhouse, taproom in downtown Huntsville". Alabama Media Group.
30. "Brew Stooges brewery changes name to Mad Malts". Alabama Media Group. October 17, 2015.
31. "Brew Stooges look to make their mark in fertile Huntsville craft beer scene". Alabama Media Group. August 28, 2013.
32. "Beer from Guntersville's first brewery sold in local restaurants Wednesday, open date to follow over next couple of weeks". WHNT • A TRIBUNE Broadcasting Station. October 22, 2015. horizontal tab character in |work= at position 5 (help)
33. "Old Black Bear Brewing Company by the numbers". Alabama Media Group. January 29, 2013.
34. "Beer from here: Alabama's only brewpub opens at Heroes in Weaver". The Anniston Star. August 8, 2012.
35. "All Aboard: Railyard Brewing Co. Opens in Montgomery". Alabama Media Group. September 20, 2012.
36. "Red Clay Brewing Co. serves up locally-brewed beer with Alabama pride". Alabama Media Group. June 19, 2015.
37. "Rocket Republic, latest Huntsville-area beer venture, to debut beers at launch party". Alabama Media Group. September 3, 2013.
38. "Huntsville's Salty Nut Brewery unveiling new craft beer this week in Madison County". Alabama Media Group. June 13, 2013.
39. "Singin' River begins brewing beer in Florence". timesdaily.com. September 13, 2014.
40. "Straight To Ale brewery finds its roots at home". Press-Register. Alabama Media Group. July 18, 2012.
41. "Huntsville brewery Straight to Ale doubling fermentation capacity, expanding to Atlanta market next year". Alabama Media Group. August 30, 2013.
42. "Brewery sets sights on Lakeview instead of downtown". Birmingham Business Journal. March 13, 2013.
43. "Yellowhammer Brewery brings European tastes to Huntsville brewing scene". Press-Register. Alabama Media Group. May 2, 2012.
44. "The United States of Beer: Alabama". Poor Taste Magazine. March 6, 2011.
45. "The History of Brewing in Alabama". alabev.com. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
46. "Restaurants negotiate for space in former Barrett's Brewpub". TuscaloosaNews.com. January 22, 2002.
47. Stan Diel (April 16, 2013). "Beer Engineers to build new brewery next door to Railroad Park ... and Good People Brewing (updated)". Alabama Media Group.
48. "Birmingham Brewing Company". pubcrawler.com. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
49. "Birmingham Brewing Company". bhamwiki.com. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
50. "Blue Moose Cafe & Brew Pub to release 1st commercial beer produced in Cullman since 1800s". Alabama Media Group. October 1, 2013.
51. "Breckenridge Brewery". The Huntsville Times. 1997.
52. "Southern Brewing". Celebrator. Aug–Sep 2006.
53. "Shuttered 801 Franklin building back in action with New Orleans-inspired Huntsville Brewery". Alabama Media Group. November 26, 2013.
54. "Mobile's Hurricane Brewing Company closes doors". Alabama Media Group. January 5, 2010.
55. "A sad day for beer in Mobile; brewpub equipment is on its way north". Press-Register. Alabama Media Group. January 24, 2011.
56. "Company info". Mad MONK Beer Company. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
57. "Magic City Brewery beer 'head' and shoulders above any other". The Birmingham News. Alabama Media Group. 1997.
58. "Brewery". The Tuscaloosa News. March 30, 2003.
59. "The Montgomery Brewing Company". Online Montgomery. March 21, 2009.
60. "Montgomery Brewing Company". Official website. Archived from the original on October 27, 2005.
61. "Rising costs end Auburn pub's beer brewing; was one of only three in state". Alabama Media Group. January 28, 2009.
62. "The Olde Auburn Ale House on Facebook". Official website. Retrieved July 13, 2013.
63. "Some big changes appear headed for Olde Towne Brewing". The Huntsville Times. February 17, 2011.
64. "Cigar City". GreatBrewers.com. October 28, 2009. a local brewpub in Dothan, Alabama called Poplar Head Mule Company (a historical building that used to sell wagons
65. "Kegging" (PDF). American Brewmaster. January 25, 2012. Southside Cellar Brewing Co., Birmingham, AL
66. "City's last brewery to shut down as new owners move operations". Birmingham News. July 13, 2000. Archived from the original on July 13, 2000.
67. "Vulcan Breweries Company". Official website. Archived from the original on January 13, 1998.
68. "HB373". Alabama Legislature. 2009.
69. "HB631". Alabama Legislature. 2007.
70. "Alabama Gov. Bentley signs bigger beer container bill into law". Alabama Media Group. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
71. "Free The Hops Success so far". Retrieved July 19, 2013.
72. Bran Strickland / The Anniston Star (March 10, 2010). "Craft beer market coming into its own around the area". The Anniston Star.
73. Join Together Staff (June 20, 2004). "Georgia Raises Maximum Alcohol Content for Beer". The Partnership at Drugfree.org.
74. "Pop The Cap". Retrieved July 19, 2013.
75. "Pop The Cap South Carolina; SC Laws". Retrieved July 19, 2013.
76. Harris, Gabe. "Governor Bentley Has Signed Gourmet Bottle Bill". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
77. "Robert Bentley signed HB9 into law". Alabama Media Group. May 9, 2013.
78. http://albeer.org

External links

• Free the Hops - Brewery Modernization Act signed by Governor
• Free the Hops - amended Brewery Modernization Act
• Brewers Guild of Alabama
• Birmingham Beverage Company. "The History of Brewing in Alabama". - accessed April 26, 2010