After two recent changes to alcohol legislation in Georgia, beer drinkers have plenty to be excited for in 2012. Sunday alcohol sales were finally permitted in Atlanta on New Year’s Day. In addition, beer growlers were permitted for the sale of take-home draft beer in December 2010 due to a loophole in distribution laws.
The changes came in response to a growing culture of craft beer drinkers, who enjoy traditional & experimental recipes, food & beer pairings, tastings, and who carefully choose their beer based on quality and taste as opposed to quantity or price. These “hop-heads” in Georgia now have even more to celebrate with the new legislation. More accessibilty will allow small breweries to reach new customers in Georgia, especially with the help of beer growlers, which are often used to sample unfamiliar flavors or brands.
The effects of growler sales will take time to develop as the awareness of beer growlers is low, so many beer drinkers still need to be educated on the benefits of growlers.
A traditional growler is a 64oz glass jug, filled with draft beer straight from the keg for later consumption (take-out beer). Most places that sell growlers focus on craft beers that are hard to find in package stores or local bars, setting themselves up as a great place to discover a new favorite beer. Customers pay a small, one-time fee for the growler (about $5) then choose the beer they want to bring home. If the customer brings the growler back to the store, he or she will only have to pay for the cost of beer (& not the $5 growler fee). So, another great bonus to growlers is that they are recycled, making them eco-friendly and promoting sustainable living habits.
Although growlers are not common with mainstream drinkers, the emerging popularity of craft beers is helping bring this new trend to beer drinkers in Georgia. In fact, Scoutmob Atlanta is currently running a deal for a $10 growler full of SweetWater beer from Hop City Beer & Wine. Beer drinkers can also look forward to the massive expansion at SweetWater Brewing Company, which will keep fresh, craft beer flowing in Georgia for many years.