About
Good d
ay, my fellow beer enthusiasts. My name is Taylor Harper, and I am an attorney with the law firm of Taylor, Feil, Harper, Lumsden & Hess, P.C. located in Atlanta, Georgia.
My practice focuses primarily on regulatory compliance and litigation in the beverage-alcohol industry. Specifically, I focus on assisting supply-tier companies, e.g., breweries, distilleries, wineries, etc., companies on the wholesale tier, and retail-tier companies, e.g., restaurants, hotels, package stores, etc., in administrative, regulatory, and litigation matters at the federal, state, and local levels.
The beverage-alcohol industry is highly regulated and governed by a complex web of laws from multiple, intersecting jurisdictions. In my regulatory compliance practice, I help individuals and companies navigate this gauntlet with care, foresight, and precision to protect them from mishaps and position them for success. On the litigation side, I use my industry expertise to achieve the best possible solution for my clients, whether through trial or negotiated resolution.
I’ve been neck-deep in the beverage-alcohol industry for the past few years, and my firm has been a leader in this practice area for nearly 40 years. I am regularly asked by government officials, legislators, and trade organizations to explain the ins and outs of the industry. I have presented at multiple conferences, such as the Annual Conference of the National Conference of State Liquor Administrators and the Annual Southeastern Craft Brewers Symposium.
I also work in my firm’s real estate litigation practice, encompassing landlord/tenant disputes, boundary/encroachment issues, and zoning matters, among others. I litigate claims arising under purchase and sale agreements, option contracts, and leases. I also handle commercial foreclosures.
Ultimately, my goal is to give my clients more in value than I take in payment.
If I can be of assistance to you or if you just want to grab a beer, don’t hesitate to give me a shout.
Cheers!
P.S. – Yep, I am an attorney, so you know I am going to use a disclaimer. Here goes: This blog and any posts on this blog are not intended as legal advice. Unless an express agreement is reached between you and me regarding the specific terms of engagement, no attorney/client relationship is created by virtue of this blog and/or its contents, and you may not rely upon the same for any purpose, including for the purpose of obtaining legal advice. Additionally, this blog is not affiliated with Taylor, Feil, Harper, Lumsden & Hess, P.C., and any posts on this blog are not meant to, and do not necessarily reflect, the opinions of Taylor, Feil, Harper, Lumsden & Hess, P.C., its partners, other attorneys, or employees.
Georgia Craft Beer Lawyer 
Are there any laws restricting brewpubs from evolving into a production brewery. Does a separate entity have to be formed?
Give me a call to discuss. I’ll explain the Department of Revenue’s view on the matter. At some point down the road, I will write a post about it. (404) 214-1200
Thank You for the blog posts, that gives me somewhere to start looking and trying to get some things organized in my business plan. I will probably start out contract brewing or partner brewing. Definitely will call for the legal side when the time comes.
Taylor. I am planning to start a brewery in se ga, and your website has been a valuable source of good and credible information. As I get into the regulatory aspect of the venture I am sure I am going to need guidance, and I would value your input. Please let me know in what capacity you offer advise and how I may contact you.
Can i open a business that allows people to come in and brew there own beer? Obviously they cant sell it. If i have equipment they can use can i rent it out?
Joe,
This is a question I am often asked. The short is no. Under current Georgia law, an unlicensed person may only manufacture beer in his or her residence (see O.C.G.A. 3-5-4). Give me a shout to discuss in greater detail. (404) 214-1239.
I have started to make beer jelly out of home-brewed beer. Is it possible that I can take this to a commercial level without having to go through opening as a brewery first, for example farmers markets, etsy first? The beer is mostly cooked out by the time the jelly is made. The IPA Jelly is excellent.
Do you know the ABV of the end product?
Can you hire someone to contract brew for you while your brewing licence is pending?
The short answer is yes. That said, in Georgia, you would still need to obtain certain licenses. You would need a Federal Basic Permit for Wholesaling, a Georgia broker’s license, and then either a broker’s license from your local jurisdiction or, if your local jurisdiction doesn’t have a license classification for broker of alcohol, a general business license will usually suffice. Call me if you want all the ins and outs involved. Also, check out my post Contract Brewing 101.
My family is planning to build a farm brewery and tap room on our farm (www.WillowCreekFarmGA) in North Georgia. Are there any laws regarding farm breweries in Georgia? Our end goal is to grow some of our own ingredients for our beer.
Thank you for reaching out, Susan. Currently, there are no laws that grant special privileges to breweries that grow and use their own ingredients (unlike the wine industry, which has a farm winery category). I’m happy to walk you through the laws that would affect your plan. Give me a call (404) 214-1239 or email me at tharper@tfhlegal.com.
Which license would I need to operate a business that blends and rebottles beers for resale, both on and off-site? Which license would I need? I’m in Marietta, cheers.
Hi. Blending and bottling both fall within the definition of manufacturing. As such, you would need a Federal Brewer’s Notice, a State of Georgia brewer’s license, and, at a minimum, a City of Marietta manufacturing license. I would like to hear more about the “rebottling” aspect. Feel free to email at THarper@TFHlegal.com to set up a call to talk shop.
Question, is it possible in GA to only sell on premise and NOT distribute? Just to be able to operate a local craft beer bar type of situation. I know the ounces limits are there but just curious if a Brewery was required by GA law to setup with a distributor.
Thanks
Mike
Hi, Mike. A GA brewery is not required to distribute, and could offer only sales from the brewery, if it so wished. Most breweries, however, do engage a wholesaler, even if just for purposes of being able to have a beer presence at festivals.