Hey all, similar question - slightly different trajectory.
I've had this exact thing happen like - no kidding - 15 times over the past few years (I'm sure we all have!)
If a friend asked me to brew beer for a formal party he was throwing where would I stand (talking guest list in the 100ish+/- range)?
The sub-questions would be: could I be reimbursed for the cost of the ingredients (or could we split the costs)?.....what if he was present and participated in the brewing of the actual beer to be served?
I have an aviation background and it seems similar to a general aviation pilot flying his friends somewhere for a weekend: he can't be paid for it, but they can share the cost of the aircraft rental/gas, etc. Furthermore, it's totally legal for his friends to pay for his hotel/meals/drinks for the trip too as it's not directly tied to the flight of the aircraft itself. That's what makes me curious!
If I simply brewed the beer and absolutely no money was transferred, it seems to me that we would be within the spirit of the law in regard to the prohibition of "manufacture with intent of sale", but what about the transfer laws? (I'm in new mexico, I just checked and they don't have any express limit on it, or total production so it would only be federal laws in this instance that are of concern).
And yes, I know as long as no money trades hands it's unlikely that ATF/TTB are going to hunt me down. But I don't need and crossed-eye looks nor do I want to sully our awesome homebrewer reputation that we all share :rockin:
Thanks!