Home brewing legislation goes to Quinn

SPRINGFIELD — Home brewers of beer would be able to legally share their specialized suds outside of their homes under legislation that was sent to Gov. Pat Quinn Wednesday.

Now, Illinois law says home-brewed beer is supposed to be consumed only at the home of its maker.

But the Illinois Senate Wednesday approved a proposal from state Sen. Linda Holmes, an Aurora Democrat, that lets home brewers take their beer to friends’ houses and festivals under certain conditions.

The proposal stems at least in part from the St. Charles Silverado Homebrew Club, which wasn’t allowed to take the group’s concoctions to a local fundraiser because of state laws.

A spokesman for Gov. Pat Quinn said the governor doesn’t have an official position on the idea.