The Georgia Brewer’s Guild was prepared to introduce a significant piece of legislation this year that would have opened up a number of opportunities for craft breweries in Georgia. As of yesterday, that legislation will not be introduced this year.

The Georgia Brewer’s Guild won a meaningful battle yesterday when it reached an agreement with wholesalers to allow manufacturers to once again sell tours with variable prices and now offer and sell food on-site.

The Georgia legislature passed legislation in 2015 that allowed visitors to Georgia breweries to buy a tour and receive beer after such tour. Once the law took effect, Georgia breweries began offering different tours at different price points based on the kind and quantity of beer offered to patrons.

In September, the Georgia Department of Revenue issued a rule specifying that the tour price cannot vary based on the beer given away. This rule was a blow to Georgia breweries and was arguably inconsistent with the statute passed by the legislature.

Regardless, the Georgia Brewer’s Guild and Georgia wholesalers reached an agreement with state leaders to issue a new rule interpreting the statute consistent with how Georgia breweries had originally interpreted the bill. In exchange for this concession, the Georgia Brewer’s Guild will not be bringing forward any legislation in the 2016 session.