Atlanta craft brewery owner says Georgia law creates roadblocks to distributing beer

Craft breweries have been a booming business in Georgia. Over the past decade, the state grew from 22 breweries to more than 170 local establishments. The industry adds $2 million to the state’s economy annually.

However, Nathan Cowan, one of the co-owners of Eventide Brewing in Grant Park, says the brewing industry is on thin ice, with several small local brewers having to shut their doors. Cowan blames a state law that requires breweries to sell their beer through a distributor, which cuts into their profits.

On Friday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Cowan talked with show host Rose Scott about why a zero self-distribution policy, a law passed by the Georgia legislature, is creating roadblocks for breweries, adding additional costs to their bottom-line.

Cowans says Georgia’s law is bad for brewery owners, distributors, and retailers, “It’s actually harmful to everybody involved,” said Cowan.