Homebrew competitions Illegal in CA?

I’ve been a homebrewer for over 25 years and am always excited about comparing my efforts against other local brewers and winemakers. Imagine my surprise when this appeared on the cover of the Santa Rosa press democrat yesterday:

http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080501/NEWS/805010333

The most telling quote came from inside the fold later in the article:

“Seck [chief of the trade enforcement division of the ABC] declined to say what type of enforcement the agency might take against an amateur wine judging event. He said he was unaware such events take place at county and state fairs, and had never received a complaint against one.”

What planet does this guy live on?

I’m still chuckling about it

I consider that “Democracy in Action” when you can get a legislator to sponsor urgency legislation to keep the party going. Now you’re seeing those politicians earn their keep!