MARIETTA, Ga. — Georgia craft brewers, and a lobbying group representing them, are preparing to push for new beer laws that give the Brewers Association a fighting chance at survival.
Once a teacher – now a crafter brewer Thomas Monti said it's his innovativeness that's led him to where he is today.
“It’s like, 'What else can we offer? What does the public want?'" he asked.
Monti, the co-owner of Schoolhouse Brewing, said he believes his creativity is how he's kept his doors open, while others have had to close.
“It’s so sad. Several of them have helped us get to where we are now… to see not just a friend, but almost a mentor saying, 'I can’t keep going because of the laws that are in place,'" Monti added.
Executive Director of Georgia's Brewer Guild Joseph Cortes said he's trying to change laws that have contributed to the closure of so many breweries.
“In Georgia – there is zero self-distribution. Our breweries are reliant on an antiquated system that does not work for their 21st-century small business models. It’s a very restricted and narrow path that doesn’t allow them to build up to scale and allow them to get their product across the street to the local pizza shop or pub," Cortes added.
Cortes said they want to overhaul regulation that requires breweries to use wholesale distributors.
"I truly believe if you’re a small brewery in Georgia... you’re still penalized under the system for being a small brewer," he said.
Cortes said the Craft Brewers Guild is lobbying for reforms to state law that could allow brewers to sell more beer – directly to customers. He added they plan to ramp up their lobbying campaign with videos featuring brewery owners explaining why they want new legislation passed.