A Georgia Senate bill allowing small breweries to self-distribute beer locally died in committee on Tuesday despite advocacy from craft brewers. Senate Bill 456, sponsored by Sen. Tim Bearden, aimed to let producers sell up to 500 barrels annually within county lines but faced opposition from distributors and health experts. The measure failed to advance after no second to a motion supporting it.
On Tuesday, the Georgia Senate Regulated Industries and Professions Committee declined to advance Senate Bill 456, which sought to ease restrictions on small breweries' ability to sell directly to local restaurants, bars, and stores. Introduced by Sen. Tim Bearden, R-Carrollton, who represents Carroll County and parts of west Georgia, the bill represented the third legislative attempt by some craft brewery owners to change the current system requiring all producers to use distributors.
Under existing law, breweries can only sell to in-person customers and allow up to 24 cans of beer to-go, limiting their reach to local markets. Proponents argued this disadvantages smaller operations unable to secure distributor contracts due to low production volumes or limited geographic appeal. Alex Griffin, owner of Local Ties Brewing Company, attended the hearing and stated, “While distributors are necessary for larger or more established breweries, they often overlook or refuse to pick up new smaller clients with less brand awareness or size to compete with these bigger breweries.” Griffin added, “By law, we have to use distributors to sell our product, even to local businesses. We can't sell our local products at local restaurants and stores.”
Thomas Monti of Schoolhouse Brewing in Marietta echoed this, saying, “What we’re trying to do is have a fair market so we can serve the people in our communities. We’re not asking for the moon. We’re asking for a fair slice of the pie.” Bearden described the bill as a “small business bill,” noting that small breweries have “built the downtown areas that we have throughout our state” and helped revitalize depressed areas. He highlighted support for over 170 breweries across Georgia.
An amendment reduced the annual sales cap from 1,000 to 500 barrels and increased to-go limits from one case to three, but it did not sway the committee. Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, was the only member to call for a vote, which received no second. Opposition came from the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association, which argued the bill would disrupt the state's three-tier system separating producers, distributors, and retailers: “Georgia’s proven system works best when breweries focus on making great beer, wholesalers ensure it is delivered safely and efficiently statewide, and retailers focus on serving customers responsibly.” Dr. Robert Brewer, former director of the CDC’s Alcohol Program, warned of potential increases in alcohol consumption, health issues, and DUI arrests, stating, “Even reasonably smart people, including me, can do dumb things like drinking too much at times. But as a society, we don’t have to make it easier for people to make bad choices.”
The bill is stalled, with low chances of passing before the General Assembly's deadline next week for legislation to clear at least one chamber. It could be reworked for future sessions, though committee review is not guaranteed.
