Legislation allowing direct sales from breweries advances in Ga.

Legislation advanced Monday that would allow beer lovers to buy directly from Georgia's craft breweries and brew pubs.

Senate Bill 85, sponsored by state Sen. Rick Jeffares, R-McDonough, represents a compromise that would end a decades-old stand-off between the brewers and the state's beer wholesalers who for years have fought to protect their position as middleman between beer manufacturers and retailers.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will again have Georgia’s largest team covering the Legislature. Get complete daily coverage during the legislative session at myAJC.com/georgialegislature.

In passing the bill, the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee made one change at the request of state Revenue Department officials. That was to include an effective date if the legislation became law: Sept. 1, 2017.

SB 85 now goes to the Senate Rules Committee, which will decide whether to allow a vote on the Senate floor.

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