(Woodstock, Ga. – Oct. 25, 2017)
From the production process used to create the eons-old beverage, to the culture and the economics involved, beer is making a big splash in Georgia. On Monday, Oct. 23 at Chattahoochee Technical College’s The Circuit, located at the Woodstock Campus, a panelist of experts in the field of craft beer production provided expert insight on all aspects of the beverage, including law, history, production and culture.
“The idea behind this event is to have these local guys who are involved in the craft beer industry and have them answer very specific questions on the science of beer, the economics of beer and the culture of beer,” event organizer and humanities instructor Thomas LaPorte said. “I felt this was a great way to connect a lot of our different areas of study, and this location in Woodstock at the Circuit is really a sort of genesis within our service area in doing things that are important for our programs and our community.”
More than 100 were in attendance for the event, titled “Beer: Where Science, Economy and Culture Collide,” which featured panelists Tim Dennis of Beer Guys Radio; Nick Downs, co-founder and master brewer of Reformation Brewery; and Zach Yurchuck, manager and owner of Truck and Tap and Barrel and Barley.
Members of the panel answered questions ranging from how to start a business to the shifting tide in beer consumption and perception in Georgia.
In addition, Michael Caldwell, R-Woodstock, spoke at the event regarding Senate Bill 85, signed this year by Gov. Nathan Deal. The bill allows direct sales at breweries for the first time in Georgia, which Caldwell said is a game-changer for small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state.
“We were behind by about 12,000 jobs in breweries in Georgia … and when you’re talking about 12,000 jobs, you’re talking about a massive economic impact,” Caldwell said. “We now have somewhere between 25 and 30 breweries in the state prior to the passage.
“After passing the law and before it took effect, we saw almost 80 applications for new breweries in the state.”
