Georgia Senate approves watered down craft brew measure

ATLANTA (AP) The Georgia Senate has passed a bill that craft beer brewers say would give them a competitive boost in the state and region.

Current state law prohibits them from selling directly to consumers.

But SB 63 would allow 36 ounces of beer to be consumed "on premise" of a brewery during a tour and up to 64 ounces to be taken home.

It also says the beer could only be purchased in a single container, called a growler, or one 12-ounce bottle of beer.

The Georgia Craft Brewers Guild says the industry would become more competitive and would give an economic jolt to the state's economy. The bill passed 51-5.

Sponsor Sen. Hunter Hill, a Republican from Atlanta, says the measure would create jobs and foster competitiveness and tourism.