WHY join AHA??

[dbrowning]

I wanted to do it
BUT
I have looked and looked and I really don't see a big benefit to joining.
What am I missing?

[Beer-lord]

The pleasure of being involved in something bigger?
Zymurgy magazine subsciption
Member deals
Just to name a few. But, I am slightly biased.

[dbrowning]

The pleasure of being involved in something bigger?
Zymurgy magazine subsciption
Member deals
Just to name a few. But, I am slightly biased.

Member deals don't exist close to me.
$43 for a mag subscription?

Something bigger?
That's the part I guess I don't get.

So far I think I would rather pay for membership here

[Beer-lord]

I get ya, I really do. I do donate here for Louie's good work as well as 3 other forums I go to. If you won't use AHA, I wouldn't pay either. There are only 2 places in my town where I get beer discounts and I try to visit them often.
Maybe a local homebrew club would be more to your liking.

[BigPapaG]

Part of the bigger picture is the weight that the organization carries and its ability because of that to assist in the fight for improved legislation in support of homebrewing and homebrewers rights.

For example, it is now technically legal to homebrew in all 50 sates, but in some cases, with many restrictions. And, not too long ago, it wasn't legal in many states.

The money that members contribute helps to support the lobbying and communications that surround those and other efforts.

A worthwhile cause IMHO.

Then there is their tireless efforts to continue to run and support the largest homebrew competition in the world and the event that goes with it... Bringing in industry experts for seminars and presentations that benefit this community...

There's the magazine, of course... And access to it and all its back issues on-line..

The website(s) and all of the info presented there.

If there are places near you that brew and sell beer, ask them about getting involved and being able to offer a small token of discount to members... That includes restaurants and bars as well as homebrew stores.

Benefits them, gives them another marketing tool... And ultimately benefits all members that frequent the place.

I'm sure I missing some stuff, but what the hey... That's alot already...

Oh yeah, they have cool hats too! (which I wear to local beer events... I swear it makes it easier to get the conversation rolling with other brewers and commercial reps while there!)

[dbrowning]

Part of the bigger picture is the weight that the organization carries and its ability because of that to assist in the fight for improved legislation in support of homebrewing and homebrewers rights.

For example, it is now technically legal to homebrew in all 50 sates, but in some cases, with many restrictions. And, not too long ago, it wasn't legal in many states.

The money that members contribute helps to support the lobbying and communications that surround those and other efforts.

A worthwhile cause IMHO.

I understand ... I live in ALABAMA ...about 6 months ago ALABAMA The LAST state to pass legislation to legalize homebrewing.
But its still not legal in the county I live in and only 15 gallons a year for people in wet counties. ( There are 3 wet municipalities in this DRY county)
They gave in to claim victory
Ive been making beer just about a year and Ive already brewed about 135 gallons
Ill make 200 this year

[Banjo-guy]

The forum is great. Zymurgy is really good. You can access all of the back issues for free. Thats years of issues. You get a discount on many breweries.

[swenocha]

I understand ... I live in ALABAMA ...about 6 months ago ALABAMA The LAST state to pass legislation to legalize homebrewing.
But its still not legal in the county I live in and only 15 gallons a year for people in wet counties. ( There are 3 wet municipalities in this DRY county)
They gave in to claim victory
Ive been making beer just about a year and Ive already brewed about 135 gallons
Ill make 200 this year

A good reason to maybe support Free the Hops instead, IMHO. I'm not joining AHA this year, FWIW. Nothing negative or anything... Only one discount out this way, and I never go there, but I've never really worried about that. It's just that right now I feel my lobbying money is better used locally to Fix the Beer Cap after the successful lobby last year that served to Fix the Beer Tax...

[Gymrat]

Here is what you get. You donated to the largest lobby protecting and expanding our rights as home brewers. That is worth every dime of the membership to me and I would donate it without Zymurgy, any discounts offered, or anything else.

[FedoraDave]

I agree with Gymrat. There's a Big Picture issue here that's very important to me. AHA can be the corporate voice that I can't be. That's worth contributing to, IMHO.

Having said that, I attending last year's AHA convention in Philadelphia, because of my membership. It may be the only opportunity I'll have to attend such an amazing event. That was an experience I'll never forget, and was well worth my membership dues.