Support SB63!

Senate Bill 63 was introduced into the Georgia State Senate yesterday.  You can read the bill in its entirety here.  Creative Loafing has put together a nice summary of the bill's current status and what it contains.  Here's what Senate Bill 63 proposes:

• Breweries and brewpubs would be able to sell up to 144oz of beer for off-site consumption.  That's roughly 2 6-packs or 2 growlers.  By keeping this number low, the brewer's guild has demonstrated that they do not wish to directly compete with growler stores or distributors.

• Breweries would be able to sell up to 72oz of beer for on-site consumption.  Currently they can give away 32oz and are not allowed to charge for it.

• Brewpubs would still be limited to the product of 10,000 barrels of beer per year, 5,000 of which could be sold to a wholesaler.  Off-site sales, such as growlers, would be included in the 5,000 barrel cap.

• Breweries and brewpubs would be required to sell beer at the current market rate, preventing them from undercutting other bars, beer stores or growler stores.

This is a bill that we should all be able to get behind.  The limits on sales prevent breweries from becoming a major competitor with existing businesses.  Jobs will be created at every brewery and the state will generate additional excise tax revenue.  Georgia will also benefit from increase beer tourism.

Although this bill was introduced, it is a long way from being passed, but you can help!  David Lucas, our state senate representative in Macon, is on the Regulated Industries committee and his support is crucial.  Send Mr. Lucas an email and let him know that SB63 is important to you.  Let him know how much you enjoy the Macon Beer Company and how much you want to see them grow as a local business and that you believe SB63 is necessary to enable their success.

David Lucas - david.lucas@senate.ga.gov

If you have a few more minutes, consider emailing the other members of the Regulated Industries committee and let them know that you believe SB63 will create jobs, increase tourism and make Georgia a better place to live.

Rick Jeffares - rick.jeffares@senate.ga.gov (Chairman)
Frank Ginn - frank.ginn@senate.ga.gov (Vice-Chairman)

Josh McKoon - jrm2016@yahoo.com (Secretary)
Ed Harbison - ed.harbison@senate.ga.gov

Bill Cowsert - bill.cowsert@senate.ga.gov

Steve Henson - stevehenson@mindspring.com

Jack Hill - jack.hill@senate.ga.gov

Butch Miller - butch.miller@senate.ga.gov

Jeff Mullis - jeff.mullis@senate.ga.gov

David Shafer - david.shafer@senate.ga.gov

Renee Unterman - renee.unterman@senate.ga.gov
Brandon Beach - brandon.beach@senate.ga.gov
Steve Gooch - steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov