Gov. Brown signs bill to allow homemade wine, beer at fundraisers

Nonprofits will be allowed to serve homemade wine and beer at fundraising events under a bill signed this week by Gov. Jerry Brown.

State alcohol regulators blocked several long-standing North Bay fundraisers this year, including events in Napa, Sonoma, and Lake counties, saying that current law forbids pouring homemade wine and beer at gatherings that charge for admission. In response, lawmakers including Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, and Assembly member Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, carved out a specific exemption for nonprofits to accept donated wine and beer and serve it during fundraising events.

The new law takes effect at the start of next year.