If it’s “honey ale”, wouldn’t it then be technically mead and not beer?
No.
With mead (as I understand it - wannabe home brewer), it is the honey itself that is fermented. In honey beer, it is still the grains that are fermented, and the honey is an additional flavor added.
Again, just from reading up on something I hope to do some day, so I might be shaky on the details.
Probably. The law probably says that he would need to produce at least 50 gallons in a year to be eligible to be taxed... but I just don’t care about the details when I can get in a quick and silly jab at the Taxer-in-Chief. :) :)