Georgia’s craft beer industry may soon be able to enjoy relaxed regulations as a new bill has been introduced in the State Senate. The bill that has been dubbed “Craft Beer and Local Economy Revitalization Act” seeks to expand small brewers’ rights in Georgia.
The Senate Bill 122 has been introduced by State Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell). It has bipartisan sponsorship from nine other senators. Senator Albers said that he sponsored the bill to support small businesses in the state. He noted that Georgia’s breweries deserve an equal opportunity to compete. They deserve support by reducing burdensome and inconsistent regulations, he added.
Highlights
- Sen. John Albers of the Georgia Senate has introduced a bill that gives more rights to the state’s craft breweries.
- The bill could be a lifeline to the brewing industry in Georgia, as many of them have been closing down in the past few years.
- Groups that have influence in the capitol that are opposing the bill on various grounds as well.
A Bill That Could Be A Lifesaver for Georgia’s Craft Breweries
The bill will allow small breweries to self-distribute a limited quantity of their products without requiring a wholesaler. They will be able to sell craft beers directly to retailers and donate products to charitable events. The bill also eliminates daily limits on off-premises sales. The bill also proposes excising tax payments on direct sales and donations. The bill proposes more flexibility in distribution for local breweries.
If the regulations are loosened, Brewers say that they would be able to do more things. For instance, some breweries only sell beer on draft and don’t sell beer from groceries or liquor stores. If they want to do so, they will have to do it through the few liquor distributors in the state, as per law. However, the bill that has been introduced will let the breweries bypass the distributors, saving costs. This will provide much-needed relief and flexibility for small breweries in Atlanta and Georgia.
Several prominent breweries in Georgia have closed down in recent years. The rate of closings has been alarming to members of the industry. Orpheus, Steady Hand Beer Co., Eventide Brewing, and Elsewhere Brewing were among the ones that were closed down in Atlanta.
Georgia Craft Brewers Guild is an industry lobbying group that has been advocating for the bill. Forty states in the US have eased regulations that allow breweries to distribute their own products to some extent, they say. While these states have given breweries the flexibility to grow, it’s time for Georgia to catch up, said its executive director. He also said that the ripple effect caused by a brewery closing harms local economies and limits consumer choice.
There has been opposition to the bill, especially from a group called Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association. The opposers say that the new law would undermine already existing laws, which would be the basis for a system that would be fair to brewers and distributors. The way “small breweries” are defined in the bill can potentially allow self-distribution to regional and national brands. This would be an unintended consequence of the bill. The group said that the closings of the breweries were the result of a normal economic downturn.
Some brewers that have had to close down their breweries reportedly said that a bill like this could have saved their business. The brewers of Georgia seem to be optimistic about the bill and see it as a needed lifeline. They welcome the bill that allows them to try something new and boost their business.
