Georgia Craft Beer Lawyer

“The store’s (TAPS Craft Beer and Growlers) closure is part of a wider trend, as Atlanta growler shops have dwindled since an initial surge of openings in 2010-2011, when they were legalized. Mendel says he now realizes that he targeted too narrow a market. Unlike bigger liquor stores that also offer growler fills, the dedicated growler shop couldn’t keep up with its limited selection of packaged goods. “It’s just not enough diversity,” Mendel says. “This business would be great if you could sell pints and had 500 cases of beer and wine, plus meats and cheese. But DeKalb County doesn’t allow that.” -Jim Vorel, Atlanta Magazine

I wish TAPS would have reached out to my firm to assist with changing the DeKalb alcohol ordinance or having it reinterpreted in a  favorable light.  Wishing those guys the best of luck in their future endeavors.

See more at: http://www.atlantamagazine.com/drinks/in-a-crowded-market-atlanta-growler-stores-feel-the-pinch

“Athens, GA – Creature Comforts Brewing Company recently appointed three pivotal team additions to join its ranks as one of the Southeast’s fastest growing craft breweries. The Athens, GA-based brewery attracted veteran talent including Seth Herman, Dan Herron and Jeremy Lum – each to play an essential role in developing the brand’s rising momentum and bring a wealth of industry experience to the company. In less than two years, Creature Comforts has grown from five full-time employees to 20.” — Brewbound

http://www.brewbound.com/news/creature-comforts-announces-new-executive-hires 

“Kathy Davis has worn a lot of hats over the years. Sous chef at Cafe Lily in Decatur. Yoga and martial arts instructor. Starbucks barista. At one point, she almost became a nun. But it was while working at a financial planning firm that her parents gave her a homebrewing kit and she found herself inspired. She decided she no longer wanted to sit at desks working for other people, so she enrolled in business school at Georgia State, traveled the country visiting breweries, and started immersing herself in beer and business culture.”  Austin Ray – Creative Loafing

Read more here: http://clatl.com/atlanta/first-draft-with-kathy-davis

“Sunday morning mimosas may be on the menu for Georgians if a new bill proposed to the Georgia General Assembly gains support.

On Jan. 11, 2016, the Georgia State Senate revisited House Bill 535, nicknamed “The Brunch Bill,” a piece of legislation which, if passed, would impact alcohol sales for restaurants across Georgia.

The proposed bill would give cities the chance to opt-in for earlier alcohol sales on Sundays. In cities that opt-in, restaurants will be allowed to begin serving alcoholic beverages at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The current law prohibit individual sales before 12:30 p.m.” — Grace Walker – Red & Black

Read more here:  http://www.redandblack.com/athensnews/brunch-bill-could-bring-earlier-sunday-alcohol-sales-in-georgia

“Savannah, GA – Georgia-based Coastal Empire Beer Co has partnered with Cavalier Distributing in Lakeland, Florida to open distribution for the state of Florida. Currently Coastal Empire Beer Co. is distributed statewide in Georgia by Savannah Distributing.”

http://www.brewbound.com/news/coastal-empire-expands-distribution-to-florida

“Congressional leaders in Alabama have nearly finished writing a bill that would change many of the state’s Prohibition-era laws, advancing the cause of craft brewers in the state.

Particularly notable, leaders say, is that Alabama lawmakers managed to bring together representatives from all three tiers to propose the changes. While craft brewers in Georgia and Mississippi appeal to local officials for updated industry regulations, the state’s example is one that some hope will serve the rest of the South.” – Jane Lothrop – Brewbound

Read more here: http://www.brewbound.com/news/alabama-law-institute-drafts-bill-supporting-small-brewers

“Six months after promoting then-CFO Kim Jones to CEO, Sweetwater Brewing and the former executive have parted ways, Brewbound has learned.

Tucker Berta Sarkisian, a spokeswoman with Sweetwater, confirmed Jones’ departure, saying only that she had moved on.” — Brewbound

Read more here: http://www.brewbound.com/news/2016/sweetwater-ceo-departs

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has denied the appeal of a district court decision which upheld a state law denying grocery and convenience stores the ability to sell cold packaged beer. Although the court did not agree with the state’s argument that the Twenty-first Amendment gave it “nearly absolute” authority to regulate alcohol sales, it did find that Indiana’s cold beer statute survives a “rational basis review.”