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Proposed legislation that would bring Georgia alcohol sales into the 21st century is one step away from becoming law. A substitute version of Senate Bill 85 has passed Senate and is headed to Governor Nathan Deal’s desk for final approval, reports Ezra Kaplan of the Associated Press. Those in the know expect Deal to sign the bill into law without hesitation.
The craft brewery and distillery bill allowing direct sales to consumers has passed both chambers and is headed to the Governor. #gapol
— Ezra Kaplan (@KaplanEzra) March 22, 2017
The bill was introduced in the Georgia Senate in January, and it proposed an update to state law that would allow breweries to sell 3,000 barrels of their beer per year directly to customers. Upon Senate passage, the House took up a substitute that added language to allow local distilleries to directly sell 500 barrels of spirits per year. The substitute bill passed the House last week.
Currently, state law requires Georgia’s craft breweries and distilleries to sell their products through wholesalers at package stores and other retail outlets. Should Deal give the legislation his signature, it will take effect September 1, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Bob Townsend.
• Beer Town: Finally in Georgia, You’ll Be Able to Buy a Beer at a Brewery [AJC]
• Proposed Legislation Would Allow Georgia Breweries to Sell Directly to Customers [EATL]
• Proposed Bill Adds Language to Loosen Regulations on Georgia Distilleries [EATL]
• All Booze News [EATL]
