3 New State Craft Beer Laws That We Like Anyway

In a shocking departure from form, state legislators across the nation have attempted to do the right thing and have passed some flawed craft beer laws that we think are better than no laws at all.

So here’re three new messy new craft beer laws that we can live with for now.

Georgia

With the passage of Senate Bill 63, Georgia has found a convoluted way to allow breweries to sell their beer directly to their fans – as long as they pay to take a tour. The “Beer Jobs Bill” affords visitors up to 36 ounces on site (yes!) and 72 ounce to take home, depending on what customers pay for the tour. Hey, we get that this new law is far from perfect – but you can finally enjoy a beer at the end of your brewery tour in Georgia- and that’s 100% better than it was. 

Iowa

It seemed like this process took forever – but growlers are now officially legal in Iowa.  However growlers can be no bigger than 72 ounces, (why do governments do this?) – and some craft brewers wished the legislation had been stronger. USA Today is reporting that the “current law makes it difficult for brewpubs to sell growlers to their customers,” and while we share their concern – a law finally permitting growlers sales was long overdue – and we can’t help but celebrate its passage.

Florida

The Sunshine State has finally put an end to a bizarre gap in its regulations that only allowed the sale of beer in quantities less than 32 ounces or greater than 128 ounces. The struggle to overturn this absurd restriction was fraught with legislative corruption and took over two years to.  But as of July 1st, 64 ounce growlers – considered the industry standard – are legal.  Plus Florida breweries can now also open multiple taprooms, up to eight brewery locations, and we’re all about that!