As big as Terrapin is, they aren't as big as the distributor lobby in GA.

The issue is, in GA (and only two other states), a brewer can sell direct to the public OR be sold in stores. They can't do both. And to be sold in stores, you must go through a distributor. The brewer can't go direct to 5 points liquor store and make a deal. That have to go through a distributor by law.

Until that law is changed, Terrapin can only sell direct through "tours" with a flat fee for the "tour" that comes with a "free glass" that entitles you to a few "free samples".

It's the same way Creature Comforts operates.

It looks like ACC is subsidizing Terrapin to hang around a little bit longer, anticipating a state law change.

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Posted by dallasga6

Scrap Metal Magnate...

Member since Mar 2009

25683 posts

Posted on 6/26/15 at 4:16 pm to deeprig9

quote:
The issue is, in GA (and only two other states), a brewer can sell direct to the public OR be sold in stores.

The direct to the public used to only apply to brewpubs for their product sold & consumed on-premise...

Pretty sure there is a new law either passed or soon to be passed that would allow breweries to sell pints not to exceed 72 ounces(6 bottles) to the public and up 144 ounces(in 12 oz bottles or cans), the equivalent of a 12-pack, to go. Brewpubs could also sell the same amount of packaged beer...

It's always been a fricked up deal in Ga. The GBWA & the Distilled Spirits lobby groups fought Sunday sales tooth & nail for the pkg. store owners & distributors so they didn't have to work/pay people to work an extra day but the Grocery/C-store lobby prevailed...

Ga is actually a 3 tier state for the big boys... You can either (1) brew, (2) transport product from the brewery to the wholesaler or (3) Sell & deliver product to on-premise/off-premise accounts as a distributor in a protected non-compete(for your products) area. Not 2 or all of the 3 ...

I.E. the Miller Brewery in Albany can't use their own trucks to ship beer to United Distributors in Smyrna or N.E. Sales & It's the same with A-B brewery in Cartersville with shipments to Atlanta Bev. or Eagle Rock...

FWIW... I worked in the industry for 25 years, I got out in '06...