Little craft beer brewers often complain that regulations in Georgia make the state one of the worst places in the nation for their small but, in many states, fast-growing industry.

So it was an odd twist recently when two of the five small businesses given a top award this year by the state were local brewers: Creature Comforts Brewing Co. in Athens and Reformation Brewery in Woodstock. The Georgia Small Business Rock Stars award is presented by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Why did the state recognize them? Check out more about the brewers and other local winners in the Unofficial Business column on myajc.com.