As Senate Bill 63, (the ‘Beer Jobs Bill’) remains in limbo due to rumored blockage by Georgia Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, another bill, SB 174, has been introduced by State Senator Frank Ginn (R-Danielsville). This new bill would allow breweries to sell their wares on site, but they would be forced to first sell their beer to a distributor and then re-purchase it before selling to customers.
Supporters of SB 63 are already crying foul, pointing out that the strict limitations put on the amount of beer allowed to be sold as well as the need to go through a distributor will effectively ruin the job creation that was the entire point of the original Beer Jobs Bill. Direct on-site sales, (as allowed in SB 63) would allow for breweries to start and operate more cheaply and for existing breweries to grow at a faster rate. The distribution companies obviously oppose this idea, but should they really?
Less restrictive laws mean more and larger breweries. More and larger breweries mean more varieties of beer in stores, more jobs, and more tax money for the state. Again Georgia Republicans have an opportunity to flex the muscle of Conservatism in a move that would directly create jobs and help the economy, but opposition from those more worried about campaign donations than the benefit of Georgia citizens threatens to throw a wrench into the process.
That being said, politics is a game of compromise, and for the craft beer industry in Georgia SB 174 may just be the best compromise available. Does the idea of bringing in a middle man to purchase and re-sell a brewery’s beer make a lot of sense? Certainly not. But if opposition in the 2015 session is still too fierce for SB 63 to pass, the option to sell beer on site, even at an increased price and reduced quantity, at least does something to help one of the state’s most rapidly growing industries.
It remains to be seen whether the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild will be receptive to this new bill or will pick SB 63 as their hill to die on. Certainly they will ride the Beer Jobs Bill as far as they can, but should things go south SB 174 could wind up allowing breweries to at least get some of what they want in 2015 and beyond.
Note: Senate Bill 63 is scheduled to go before the Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee today at 4:00pm
