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Lincoln County moves to add ‘brewpub’ license and set alcohol fees by resolution
Summary
At its November meeting the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners gave a first reading to changes to Chapter 10 of the county alcohol ordinance to add a Class G brewpub license and new definitions, and approved a companion resolution to set license fees by resolution rather than amending the ordinance.
The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners held a first reading of amendments to Chapter 10 of the county alcoholic beverage ordinance on Nov. 13, proposing a new Class G license for brewpubs and adding two definitions (including "golf course premises"). County Attorney read the proposed language aloud and staff said the changes will be posted on the county website and return next month for a second reading and possible adoption.
The draft ordinance text the attorney read would add a Class G license ("brewpubs") to section 10-50 and add definitions in section 10-2, including a brewpub definition that incorporates the barrel production limits set out in OCGA §3-5-36. The proposed new section 10-53 would set eligibility rules for on-premises sales at eating establishments, golf course premises and bona fide private clubs; the draft includes a 40-seat minimum for dining rooms and requires that at least 15% of annual gross food and beverage sales come from prepared meals for a venue to qualify as an "eating establishment." The county attorney stressed this was a first reading and no vote on adoption would occur tonight.
Separately, the board approved Resolution 2025-11-13 to establish fees for alcohol licenses, application fees and reinstatement fees by resolution rather than placing them in the ordinance text. Staff said the fees are unchanged from prior practice and will be posted on the Community Development website under forms. Chairman and commissioners moved to approve the resolution and gave the chairman and clerk authority to finalize it.
County Attorney (reading the ordinance text) noted that statutory references are to Georgia law, including OCGA provisions used in the brewpub definition. The board directed staff to post the full proposed ordinance text online and return for a second reading next month so members and the public can review the detailed language before any vote.
What happens next: The ordinance amendments will be posted on the county website; the board scheduled a second reading and potential adoption at next month’s meeting.
