ATLANTA — 2024 has not been a banner year for breweries in the state of Georgia.
Two Atlanta breweries, Best End and Torched Hop will close their doors at the end of the year.
They add to a list that includes Steady Hand Beer Co., Elsewhere Brewing, Eventide Brewing, Kettlerock Brewing, Iron Hill Brewery (Buckhead location), Moon River Brewing, Dry County Brewery and Liquid Nation Brewing.
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Channel 2′s Courtney Francisco spoke to customers at Best End Saturday night.
“To come to the end of year, celebratory time, and to hear about all these breweries closing,” said Marcus Daye, “I was like, we got to go support them before they close up shop.”
Industry insiders said the closures are indicative of a bigger problem.
“The pace seems to be rapidly increasing over the past year,” said Joseph Cortes.
Cortes is the Executive Director of Georgia Craft Brewers Guild.
The Guild was created to protect the interest of brewery owners in the state.
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He said there are many reasons breweries are failing across the state.
“Economic pressures including inflation, market shifts, consumers are changing,” said Cortes. “Georgia is still one of the most highly restricted states for breweries to operate nationwide, and that has a negative impact on our breweries’ ability to be flexible and nimble amongst these other challenges.”
The Guild has been trying to get lawmakers to loosen up laws that regulate distribution.
Members want brewery owners to have the freedom to sell their own products to local retailers and restaurants faster and cheaper.
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Leaders plan to lobby lawmakers when they reconvene in January.
A proposed bill to change the laws failed to make it past a Senate Committee the past two years.
It was known as the Fair and Open Access to Market Act, or FOAM.
Georgia’s General Assembly is scheduled to convene in January 2025.
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