via press release:

STOLEN SWEETWATER BEER RECOVERED

GBI & Southeastern Transportation Security Council Discover & Return Cargo to Brewery

(June 29, 2016) – Today, the majority of the 78,528 bottles from the 3,272 cases stolen from SweetWater Brewing Co. on Tuesday, June 21, were returned to the Atlanta brewery thanks to efforts by the GBI’s Major Theft Unit and Southeastern Transportation Security Council (SETSC). Of the 40 pallets stolen, 10 were recovered the day of the theft; the remaining 30 pallets (minus a few cases) were returned on Wednesday, June 29. This is a major step forward in the resolving the case, according to GBI special agents and Cargo Theft Investigator Bob Hastings of SETSC, who tracked down the remaining stolen beer. GBI and SETSC will continue to assist the Atlanta Police Department in solving the crime.

Unfortunately, the return of the stolen Summer Variety Pack cases to the brewery does not mean the product is able to be sold or consumed; every bottle will be destroyed. The product is being sent to Synergy Solutions Crisp County, a zero landfill, biofuel and waste recycling company.

According to Keith Lewis, VP of Operations for CargoNet, a cargo theft prevention and recovery network, Georgia is a top 5 market for cargo theft. As APD, GBI and SETSC make progress in the case, SweetWater will provide public updates.