TALLAHASSEE
A bitter feud over Florida’s beer regulations may finally quiet down after legislation cleared the Florida House Friday that takes a number of steps to help craft breweries, while also imposing new restrictions on the industry.
Adam Rudell, of St. Petersburg, Fla., sits with two gallon-sized jugs of beer, known among beer enthusiasts as growlers, at the Swamp Head Brewery in Gainesville, Fla. (AP archive)
The bill — which already passed the Senate and now goes to the governor for final approval — legalizes 64-ounce growler jugs that have become a symbol for many of Florida’s overly restrictive alcohol regulations. It also puts brewery taprooms on more solid legal footing, assuring that the popular hang outs will remain open. A lawsuit had questioned their legality.
However, breweries will now be limited to opening no more than eight taprooms and face other restrictions that some have chafed against.
Brewers have been fighting with other entrenched interested in the beer industry over the taproom and growler issues. The legislation approved Friday strikes a compromise between the factions. It has the approval of major industry trade groups on both sides of the issue.
“This is our chance to stand up together for the little guy,” said Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa, a major supporter of the bill. “The little guy being the 110 craft brewers here in the state of Florida.”
The legislation, which passed the House 117-0, also increases the number of bottles that craft distillers can sell directly to consumers from two to four. There are four craft breweries in Sarasota and Manatee counties and one rum distillery.
