The Georgia Department of Revenue on Monday issued new proposed regulations for the state’s growing craft beer industry, a development both brewers and wholesalers have embraced.
The agency is proposing to again allow brewers to sell tours of their facilities at different prices based on the quality and amount of beer customers receive as "free souvenirs." While it's far from granting brewers their ultimate wish of being able to sell beer directly to consumers, Monday's announcement puts the manufacturers back where they thought they were after legislation passed in 2015.
Senate Bill 63 took effect July 1, 2015 and the department quickly issued rules for the new tours. It was a breakthrough for brewers who were for the first time allowed to provide customers with up to 72 ounces of beer to drink on-site or take home if they purchased a facility tour.
Manufacturers spent thousands to create new tasting rooms and hired staff to run tours and serve the “souvenirs.” Many breweries offered different types and amounts of beer with different tour prices. But, about three months later, Revenue issued a new set of regulations that seemed to reverse course. No longer could the tours have variable prices based on the beer sold, the agency said.
Brewers were furious. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution later reported the change came after agency officials met with representatives of the state's alcohol wholesalers industry, who saw the tour rules as a step toward allowing direct sales from brewers to consumers.
After top lawmakers threatened legislation if the Department of Revenue didn't reconsider its actions, all sides in January came to an agreement on what re-written regulations would include. The agency on Monday made good on that deal.
About the Author
