Georgia Beer Laws- changed back again.

Discussion in 'South Atlantic' started by FATC1TY, Jan 26, 2016.

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  1. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-...g-deal-reached-in-craft-brewery-battle/nqCbG/

    Not the end, nor the final result, but atleast some backlash has gotten things somewhat better.

    "All sides have agreed to a regulatory solution that will avoid a fight over legislation this year. The deal, according to the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association, means the Department of Revenue will issue new rules that will:

    • Allow brewers again to sell brewery tours at variable prices based on the kind of beer offered.
    • Allow special events at breweries and distilleries.
    • Let brewers, distilleries and wholesalers use social media to alert the public about where to buy their products or advertise special events.
    • Allow third parties to sell tour tickets.
    • Let breweries and distilleries sell food on site.
    Still need to get it where we can get rid of this whole "tour" issue, it's silly to have to call it and pay for it like that. Let me just go up there for a growler and a pint and head home.

    A bit of a sell out, to hold off on them doing any real work this year, indeed a win for the wholesalers.
     
    #1 FATC1TY, Jan 26, 2016
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  2. weaverr

    weaverr Zealot (729) Jun 10, 2008 California

    From what I can tell...

    The item about the variable tour prices is really just going back to the gray area they were operating in post-SB63, pre-DoR letter, and saying that's ok.

    I'm not sure the third party ticket sales or special events were ever explicitly prohibited, which I guess means this is clarification. The items about breweries advertising where to buy their products and selling food on site are both pretty big, as they were previously prohibited.

    Baby steps, but they're still steps.
     
    #2 weaverr, Jan 26, 2016
  3. jumboj11

    jumboj11 Initiate (0) May 24, 2009 Georgia

    Georgia: Where breweries can now sell food, but not a beer to go with it. What a joke.
     
    #3 jumboj11, Jan 26, 2016
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  4. NoMoreBeerBelly

    NoMoreBeerBelly Pundit (825) Dec 2, 2009 North Carolina

    How does Georgia even have any breweries left?
     
    #4 NoMoreBeerBelly, Jan 26, 2016
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  5. FATC1TY

    FATC1TY Pooh-Bah (2,564) Feb 12, 2012 Georgia
    Pooh-Bah

    We ask ourselves that all the time. This was a cop-out. Don't get me wrong, we can have releases now, based on selling tickets for a tour. Sure it's all well and good, but I still can't go sit down and meet anyone here for just a beer or two and leave. We have to do a whole tour pricing structure. It's stupid and makes zero, zero sense.

    This just kept the brewers at bay for the time being, and let another year pass with no promise of change. Go back to the new way, and let the breweries hire a food truck to serve on site... meh..
     
    #5 FATC1TY, Jan 26, 2016
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  6. BKnarr

    BKnarr Pundit (894) Sep 5, 2012 Florida

    The tour thing is so rediculous that I can't even fully wrap my brain around it. I really never tried to wrap my brain around it until now, as I have a stop at Creature Comforts planned the weekend after Huna Day. This will be my first time visiting a Georgia brewery. So I can't just walk in and order a beer? Can someone explain to me how the process works? Thanks in advance.
     
    #6 BKnarr, Jan 26, 2016
  7. jumboj11

    jumboj11 Initiate (0) May 24, 2009 Georgia

    Correct. You can buy a "tour" of the brewery which includes tickets for up to (but not more than) 36 ounces of free beer to drink on sight. Your tour also includes a 'souvenir' of up to 72oz of beer which you can take home. You can not buy an individual beer to drink on site, just like you can't buy a six pack of beer to go. You have to buy a 'tour.'

    It is, quite frankly, the dumbest thing ever... especially given the fact that we have a Governor who puffs his chest out at being pro-business.
     
    #7 jumboj11, Jan 26, 2016
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  8. HopDawg03

    HopDawg03 Initiate (0) Jan 12, 2015 Georgia

    Also, you have to hit their specific 3 hours their allowed to be open. Soo stupid, this state is so toxic for all breweries and brewpubs. Also, the inner workings of the ga craft brewers guild need to be made public if they are going to accept our money or help and settle for these "baby steps people, be polite"!
     
    #8 HopDawg03, Jan 26, 2016
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  9. BKnarr

    BKnarr Pundit (894) Sep 5, 2012 Florida

    Thanks for the info. Should be an enlightening visit.
     
    #9 BKnarr, Jan 26, 2016
    Hayden34 likes this.
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