Georgia's craft beer breweries and liquor distilleries won a major victory Wednesday, as the state Senate agreed to a measure that would allow both types of businesses to sell their goods directly to the public.

The 52-1 vote sends Senate Bill 85 to Gov. Nathan Deal for his signature.

If signed into law, the bill would end a decades-old stand-off that has been especially tense between brewers and the state's beer wholesalers who for years have fought to protect their Prohibition-era position as middleman between beer manufacturers and retailers.

The bill would allow consumers to buy up to a case a day directly from a brewery to take home as well as buy a beer to drink on site. Brewpubs would also be allowed to sell beer to customers to take home.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will again have Georgia’s largest team covering the Legislature. Get complete daily coverage during the legislative session at myAJC.com/georgialegislature.

About the Author

Keep Reading

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks alongside then former president and presidential hopeful Donald Trump at a campaign event in Rome, Georgia, on March 9, 2024. (Elijah Nouvelage/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Featured

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC