Georgia Governor Nathan Deal has signed into law new legislation that will expand the ability of breweries and distilleries in the state to sell distilled alcohol directly to customers. The current law is that it encourages brewery and distillery guests to drink ‘samples’ on-site, but prohibits them from taking any alcohol to-go. The change in law would allow guests to take alcohol to-go, and in doing so, it could help to curb alcohol-related traffic accidents and their resulting injuries.
Under current law, breweries and distilleries are prohibited from selling directly to customers that visit on-site. Instead, Georgia law requires producers of alcohol to sell to wholesalers, and then requires wholesalers to sell to retailers. To get around the current law, breweries and distilleries have long sold “tickets” that people taking a tour can exchange for samples.
The new law removes the restriction on direct sales, and in doing so ends the rigidly tiered producer-wholesaler-retailer system, and most likely spells the end of the somewhat onerous ticket-system as well. Breweries and distilleries that operated a restaurant on-site were already allowed to sell directly to customers, and so they will not be affected by the new law.
Potential Benefits for Patrons, Business, and the Public
Those in the beer and distillery business are welcoming the new bill as a way to boost the industry. While the industry is likely to benefit from this the new Senate Bill 85, the new legislation also has the potential to make roads safer for everyone. Essentially, the new law makes it less likely for patrons to over-consume and then drive home.
Under the current system, guests attending tours must buy a certain number of tickets that they can trade for drinks. They can sample the drinks on-site, but they can’t take anything with them. The new law would permit guests to buy drinks directly and to leave with containers of beer and distilled alcohol.
By allowing guests to take alcohol to-go, fewer people will feel the need to use all of their tickets consume samples on-site. Instead, guests can opt to take their remaining tickets’ worth of alcohol home to consumer later. By shifting excess consumption to the home, the law could decrease the number of intoxicated drivers on the road. Therefore, one other possible impact of the law is a decrease in traffic accidents and resulting injuries caused by drunk driving.
CONTACT THE PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS AT Williams Elleby Howard & Easter FOR MORE INFORMATION
Hopefully this law will reduce the number of drunk driving accidents in Georgia. However, if you have been injured as the result of someone else’s reckless behavior on the road, you are entitled to fair compensation. The Kennesaw, Ga personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter are dedicated to serving the legal needs of Georgia residents.
We believe every citizen of Georgia has a right to be informed when it comes to the law, and urge every Georgian to drive safe. If you would like more information about this issue, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter today at 833-LEGALGA.
