AB-1527
Consumer Protection

Alcoholic beverages: beer.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Expands the legal definition of beer to include fermentation with any grain type, not just barley and malt.
  • Permits brewers to use honey, fruits, herbs, and spices as additional ingredients in beer production.
  • Clarifies that beer aged in used wine or spirit barrels remains classified solely as beer.
  • Requires the use of drinkable water in the beer fermentation process.

Summary

The California Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization proposes to modernize the state's legal definition of beer, expanding permitted ingredients while clarifying production standards. The measure would allow brewers to use grains beyond traditional barley and malt, specify the use of drinkable water in fermentation, and establish guidelines for adjunct ingredients like honey, fruit, herbs, and spices.

Under the revised definition, beer aged in wooden barrels previously used for wine or spirits would maintain its classification as beer rather than being considered a mixture of alcoholic beverages. The legislation maintains existing categories like ale, porter, stout, and lager while explicitly excluding sake from the definition. These changes aim to align state regulations with contemporary brewing practices while preserving distinct classifications between beer and other alcoholic beverages.

The proposal requires no new appropriations or fiscal commitments, with enforcement continuing through existing regulatory frameworks. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control would oversee implementation of the updated standards through its current licensing and inspection protocols.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Contacts

Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
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Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Steve PadillaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/1/2025)

Latest Voting History

May 1, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
760379PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Expands the legal definition of beer to include fermentation with any grain type, not just barley and malt.
  • Permits brewers to use honey, fruits, herbs, and spices as additional ingredients in beer production.
  • Clarifies that beer aged in used wine or spirit barrels remains classified solely as beer.
  • Requires the use of drinkable water in the beer fermentation process.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Summary

The California Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization proposes to modernize the state's legal definition of beer, expanding permitted ingredients while clarifying production standards. The measure would allow brewers to use grains beyond traditional barley and malt, specify the use of drinkable water in fermentation, and establish guidelines for adjunct ingredients like honey, fruit, herbs, and spices.

Under the revised definition, beer aged in wooden barrels previously used for wine or spirits would maintain its classification as beer rather than being considered a mixture of alcoholic beverages. The legislation maintains existing categories like ale, porter, stout, and lager while explicitly excluding sake from the definition. These changes aim to align state regulations with contemporary brewing practices while preserving distinct classifications between beer and other alcoholic beverages.

The proposal requires no new appropriations or fiscal commitments, with enforcement continuing through existing regulatory frameworks. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control would oversee implementation of the updated standards through its current licensing and inspection protocols.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (5/1/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization
Next Step
Senate Committee
Referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Governmental Organization
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Assembly Committee
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Assembly Governmental Organization Hearing
Read first time. To print.
Assembly Floor
Read first time. To print.
Read first time. To print.

Latest Voting History

May 1, 2025
PASS
Assembly Floor
Vote on Assembly Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
760379PASS

Contacts

Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 15 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 3
Select All Legislators
Profile
Brian JonesR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Sabrina CervantesD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Bob ArchuletaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Melissa HurtadoD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Susan RubioD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Megan DahleR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Rosilicie Ochoa BoghR
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Akilah Weber PiersonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Catherine BlakespearD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Steve PadillaD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Lola Smallwood-CuevasD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Laura RichardsonD
Senator
Committee Member
Profile
Suzette ValladaresR
Senator
Committee Member