City allowing expanded sale of growlers

The Johns Creek City Council has amended its alcoholic beverage ordinance to make it possible for grocery stores and restau- rants to sell growlers.

The council eliminated the requirement that limited growler sales to establishments where 90 percent of total gross sales were from the packaged sales of malt beverages or wines, and/or had 400 square feet of floor display area.

“The requirements of such a large percentage of total gross sales, or such a large display area, make it impossible for any grocery store or restaurant to be allowed to use growlers,” staff said.

A growler is defined as “a professionally sanitized reusable container not to exceed 64 ounces in volume used to transport draft beer for off-premises consumption.”

A licensee must to comply with all state, federal and local packaging and labeling laws regarding alcoholic beverages, the ordinance says.

Each growler must be removed from the premises “securely sealed;” consumption on site is prohibited.