Daniel's Mead Making Hobby Page

My Very Unofficial Guide to Georgia Brewing Laws

Georgia Code 3, Chapter 1

Disclaimer. Do not assume that I am correct in my interpration of the Georgia Code. I am NOT a lawyer. This is just my opinion.

Section 3-1-1

Just labels this title "Georgia Alcoholic Beverage Code".

Section 3-1-2

This is a long one. It basically gives a bunch of definitions for various terms in the world of alcohol. I'm going to leave out the obvious ones, like "person" or the ones that are used as a shorthand throughout the code. For instance "Commissioner" which is really just the way the code defines the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Revenue.

Brewpub - A place that serves food and brews alcohol. Half of the revenue has to come from food sales.
Broker - A person who buys and sells alcohol, but never actually has it in their possession, essentially a commodity investor.
Distilled Spirits - Any beverage with more than 21% alcohol. In other words, not necessarily one that has actually been distilled
Fortified Wine - Really strong wine (made from fruits, berries, or grapes) that has been fermented past 21% alcohol or has brandy added. It also is considered a distilled spirit.
Gallon or Wine Gallon - 231 cubic inches
Hard Cider - Made from apples, but with less than 6% alcohol, I guess more makes it a wine
Importer - Someone who brings alcohol in from a foreign county and sells it to an importer, broker, or wholesaler. The difference between this guy and a broker is that he does maintain a stock.
Malt Beverage - Essentially all beers with less than 14% alcohol. Sake is specifically excluded (it this made from rice malt?)
Manufacturer - Not only is this someone who makes the alcohol, but also this includes the bottler
Retail consumption dealer - someone who sells distilled alcohol for immediate consumtion, e.g. a bar
Retailer - someone who sells alcohol, this excludes a Retail Consumption Dealer
Shipper - anyone who ships alcohol outside Georgia
Standard Case - one of the following:
- 6 containers that hold 1.75 liters each
- 12 containers that hold 750 milliliters each
- 12 containers that hold 1 liter each
- 24 containers that hold half a liter each
- 24 containers that hold 375 milliliters each
- 48 containers that hold 200 milliliters each
- 120 containers that hold 50 milliliters each
Wine - less than 21%, made from fruits, berries, or grapes

Section 3-1-3

Grandfathers in liquor licenses from before July 1, 1981.

Section 3-1-4

States that is it a crime to violate this code and sets the default violation as a misdemeanor. That means there will be some felonies sprinkled in.

Section 3-1-5

Enforces the displaying of the "Pregnant Women Shouldn't Drink" warning.