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Saturday night, the Southern Philosophy Brewing held a Georgia Beer Day event.

Georgia Beer Day celebrates and promotes local beer in Georgia. Gallagher Dempsey, owner of Southern Philosophy Brewing, stated, “It is one of the biggest days of the year in Georgia beer. It’s a perfect time for people to get excited about the event.” He also mentioned that the day recognizes the Georgia Craft Beer Festival, which has been struggling because Georgia is so far behind on alcohol laws.

Joseph Cortes, Executive Director of Georgia Craft Brewers Guild, sent out an email to guild members about Senate Bill 122 on the “Craft Beer and Local Economy Revitalization Act,” which “Allows for Self Distribution of up to 3,000 barrels annually within a 100-mile radius, eliminates the daily off-premise sales cap of 288 oz per person, and allows for direct charitable contributions of your beer.” While there are some “nitpicks” on provisions of the bill, Cortes and his team are working with bill sponsors, members of Senate, and Committee members, while also engaging in broker conversations, wholesaler lobby, and stakeholders to lead to a productive solution. While Cortes and his team wait for a committee hearing, guild members can join a network of “grasstops” supporters. Grasstops is an individual who has extra influence at the campaign level, can drive support, and has a relationship with politicians of influence. These Grasstops are the mayors, city councilors, county commission, and city/county managers. Organizations like the chambers of commerce, tourism board, investors, and other influential community members can ask them to engage local State Senators to support particular bills. Cortes’ email also includes helpful information materials, such as “Talking Points on SB 122,” which reports the problem, addresses the solution and reasoning, and the call to action. The “Pouring Unequal” documentation reports some regulatory restrictions stacked up against other states, and some docs and maps that further highlight the importance of how Georgia is behind nationally and regionally in the alcohol laws.

Dempsey stated the event had sold glasses and shirts and contributed toward the Georgia Craft Breweries and other independent breweries.