"A lot of interested parties have worked to perfect this legislation," House Regulated Industries Committee Chairman Howard Maxwell, R-Dallas, said.

Rep. Michael Caldwell, R-Woodstock, said the bill will finally allow Georgia to join the 49 other states that allow direct sales from breweries.

“Breweries that aren’t in Georgia are 2.5 times more profitable,” Caldwell said. “Because (in Georgia) we don’t let them do business like 49 other states do business.”

But Rep. Dominic Lariccia, R-Douglas, opposed the bill, saying he the state does not do enough to address alcohol's negative impacts on families.

“It’s not a war against alcohol, per se, it’s a war against what alcohol is doing to the families,” Lariccia said after the vote.

﻿Staff writer Michelle Baruchman contributed.