James_May-June_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 20
It’s time to report on the results of our 7th annual Sippin’ Local poll, highlighting
a booming Georgia industry.
Readers were invited to vote
for their favorite breweries,
distilleries and wineries located
across the state. Our winners
come from three very different
areas and have very different
origins. But James also appreciates one thing they have in
common: loyal customers and
success. We feature here a little bit about each winner, plus
the other top 10 vote getters in
each category.
According to the 2024 Georgia
Ag Forecast, Georgia’s beverage establishments amounted to more than $2.6 billion
in sales in 2022, more than
doubling the sales from 2001.
Georgia ranks 9th in the U.S.
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in total sales, accounting for
over 3 percent of the country’s
total, which is about double
the average contribution per
state. Despite our relative lack
of consumption, averaging just
1.9 gallons per capita, we make
up for it in participation.
Georgia has about 250 craft
beverage makers— from
the Blue Ridge Mountains,
to metro Atlanta, to middle
and south Georgia— and the
wineries, breweries and good
ole “sippin” distilled beverage
locations each offer something
that keeps people coming
back: maybe it’s delicious
food, exceptional service,
maybe just somewhere people can feel comfortable. The
three places highlighted offer
a little microcosm into what
makes them special— different
character, different food and
drink, and different settings.
Congratulations
to all the winners!
PHOTO BY STEPHEN COOK PHOTOGRAPHY
COURTESY OF VISIT MACON
