Get Involved

Do you remember what it felt like when you first realized that so many great beers are unavailable in Mississippi? Or did you first learn of these restrictions from this website (or someone who told you about the site)? Frustrating, isn’t it?

You don’t have to sit back and let your access to great beer be hampered by laws leftover from Prohibition. South Carolina lifted its 5% alcohol by weight law on May 2, 2007. Georgia achieved success in their campaign to lift their 6% limit in July of 2004. And Alabama and West Virginia, the only other states with this ridiculous restriction, successfully lifted their caps in 2009.

Like Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas, we can also be successful in changing our outdated beer laws. They did it and so can we, but we need your help! We need people willing to take a hands-on role in the heart of the organization, to help do the work, such as organizing events, distributing flyers, enlisting the support of sponsors, and more. And we need people to spread the word. Tell all your friends about Raise Your Pints, and get new people interested in craft beer. Mississippi's strict laws haven’t provided a very friendly environment for “beer culture,” so many people here don’t even realize what non-mass market beer is. Let’s work to change that. Taking advantage of what has already been learned about this process in other states, we ask that you follow the suggestions on this website regarding publicity and contacting of public officials. We need to make sure our message is clear and consistent.

Here’s what you can do right now to help Mississippi eliminate unfair beer laws:

• Sign up as a member of Raise Your Pints. - This is the best thing you can do.
• Download our Talking Points and familiarize yourself with the facts.
• Inform your local media about this issue and RYP. We're happy to provide quotes, stats, and are available for interviews.
• Wear a RYP shirt when you go to beer stores or other craft beer related venues and be ready to answer questions.
• Talk to any local or state-wide elected officials you know about Raise Your Pints and ask for their support.
• Invite RYP President This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to speak to your local or regional organizations or civic clubs.
• Join us on Facebook and Twitter and spread the word.
• Get ready to contact your state legislators. You, our supporters, are a loud and resounding voice when the message (and recipient) are well-targeted.

When you talk to your local beer-related businesses, and elected officials, remember the following:

• Ask to talk to the manager, if you're not doing so already. but talk to staff too.
• Have this flyer in hand and give it to them in person, or a least write down RaiseYourPints.com on a piece of paper
• Ask them if someone from Raise Your Pints can contact them to gain their support in the changing of these laws. Send us an e-mail with the business name, location, phone number and a contact.
• Be respectful and positive. Make this a pleasant experience for them.

Be active, not passive. Help us spread the word, educate beer businesses, and build momentum state-wide. Talk to businesses and talk to us.

Thank you.