Georgia Governor Signs Bill Making Cocktails To-Go Permanent
ATLANTA – Today, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 236 making cocktails to-go permanent from food service establishments, increasing consumer convenience and supporting hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19. Georgia becomes the eighth state to make a COVID-era cocktails to-go measure permanent.
“Cocktails to-go has provided a much-needed lifeline for struggling hospitality businesses across the U.S. and prevented the permanent closure of many,” said Jay Hibbard, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Senior Vice President of State Government Relations. “Georgia’s hospitality businesses now have the opportunity to utilize cocktails to-go, increasing stability as they begin the long path to economic recovery. We applaud the Georgia Legislature and Governor Kemp for supporting local businesses and for providing increased convenience to consumers.”
“We are appreciative of our state legislators’ support of Georgia’s restaurant industry in passing this bill,” said Karen Bremer, President and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association. “By allowing cocktails to-go, restaurants that are still struggling to keep their doors open now have another opportunity to offer guests a full-service dining experience in their own homes. Our sincerest thanks to Senator Matt Brass and all of SB 236’s sponsors for their hard work.”
Background:
More than 30 states began allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go as a COVID economic relief measure. Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Montana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent. Dozens of other states are also considering legislation to extend or make permanent cocktails to-go measures.
The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.
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The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States is the leading voice and advocate for distilled spirits in the U.S., advocating on legislative, regulatory and public affairs issues impacting the distilled spirits sector at the local, state, federal and international levels. DISCUS members are committed to responsibility and encourage adults who drink to do so in moderation.