VALDOSTA — Georgia Beer Company has allied itself with 3,000 breweries by adopting the Independent Craft Brewer Seal as it readies to open in October.

Created by the Brewers Association, the seal is used to show consumers which beers are produced by independently owned breweries in the United States, according to a press release. By having the seal, Georgia Beer Company has indicated that independence matters when it comes to beer.

Ninety-eight percent of the 6,300 breweries in the U.S. are small, independent craft breweries, but those companies sell less than 13 percent of beer sold, the release states.

“Beer lovers are looking for differentiation between what is being produced by small and independent craft brewers versus big beer acquired brands,” said Julia Herz, craft beer program director of the Brewers Association in a statement. “People today expect transparency when it comes to their food and beverages. When it comes to beer, that transparency and underlying ownership can drive purchase intent.”

For Georgia Beer Company, the seal represents the craftsmanship in making beer.

“With the majority of the world’s beer being manufactured by basically two companies, and most of that beer being made through automation, we think it is important to celebrate and promote small, local businesses like ours that strive for quality through persona hand-crafted goods,” said Chris Jones, founder and director of business development at Georgia Beer Company.

Georgia Beer Company is the first brewery in Valdosta and is expected to open in early to mid-October after renovations of a100-year-old building downtown, Jones said.

“We are very close to being finished with the renovations,” he said. “They have been very extensive renovations from top to bottom.”

Jones said the company has received truckloads of equipment that is ready to be installed once renovations are complete.

Renovations are being done in partnership with the Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority.

Jason Smith is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. He can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1257.