Near cheers: Cobb could soon have more breweries and distilleries

The city council has final say at its Sept. 17 meeting.

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There were 21 craft breweries in Georgia during 2011, according to the Brewers Association. In 2017, that had grown to 69.

Still, according to the Brewers Association, that puts Georgia dead last in the nation for breweries per capita, counting only those 21 and older.

In its recommendation to the commission, Smyrna's community development department said the city has been approached by numerous brewers and breweries wanting to come to the Jonquil City.

But there was a problem.

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“The city’s zoning ordinance is silent on breweries, brewpubs and distilleries,” according to the memo.

So the city planners looked at how Cobb County, Duluth, Kennesaw and Marietta set up their rules around hooch.

There are six breweries in Cobb, according to an interactive tool from the county. And then there's one place each making distilled spirits, cider and mead.

Get The AJC's latest beer and brewery news here.

No commissioners had questions after Rusty Martin, a senior planner with the city, gave his presentation at the Monday meeting.

The sole resident question was about wineries, cideries and meaderies.

Martin responded by saying: “We hadn’t really gotten any request for that.” A commissioner added that they might look at those next.

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Here are the proposed changes to the city code.