Growler Ordinance Approved By Johns Creek Leaders

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The Johns Creek City Council has adopted a change to its alcohol ordinance that expands the number of businesses that are allowed to offer growlers for consumers to carry out.

The amendment, which was adopted at the Council's March 12 meeting, eliminates the requirement that 90 percent of a business's total gross sales stem from packaged sale of beer and wine or that they have at least 400 square feet of floor display set aside to display beer for sale before they can be approved for growlers.

The city notes the previous stipulations "makes it impossible for any grocery store or restaurant to be allowed to use growlers." The change now allows all establishments permitted to sell malt beverages and/or wine to offer growlers.

A growler is a reusable container that's used to transport draft beer for consumption off the establishment's premises. The city's ordinance requires each growler, which is required by the code to be no greater than 64 ounces in volume, be securely sealed before it's taken from the business.

The ordinance also bans consumers from drinking beer from a growler while at the site of a store or restaurant (For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here).

City Council member Stephanie Endres said she was excited to see the change come to fruition. The "unique" businesses the original rules catered to, she said, have closed since the city adopted the more stringent requirements.

Councilman Chris Coughlin added he was also "glad we are leveling the playing field to allow the free market" determine whether companies offering growlers will be successful.

Image via Shutterstock