ABT | Read Time: 3 minutes

Post-Licensing Changes that require Update and Approval

When you finally receive the necessary licenses to operate your beverage business in Florida from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), it’s incredibly exciting and relieving. However, it’s important to remember that your relationship with these organizations is ongoing, and there may be circumstances in which...

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ABT | Read Time: < 1 minute

FISA Lawsuit Prompts ABT to Immediately Change Licensing Procedures

Shortly after before the Florida Independent Spirits Association (FISA) and the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) filed lawsuits accusing the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) of improperly licensing Florida brewery taprooms (discussed in Q&A for Breweries: The FISA Lawsuit), the ABT quietly changed its procedure for how brewery applications are to be handled.

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The Florida Breweries Report | Read Time: 11 minutes

The Florida Breweries Report – August 2014

Three new breweries in August’s Florida Breweries Report. Monthly Highlights Three new breweries are included in this edition of The Florida Breweries Report: LauderAle in Ft. Lauderdale, Burkes of Ireland in Crystal River, and Momentum Brewhouse in Bonita Springs. Three breweries drop off The Florida Breweries Report, because they are no longer licensed to manufacturer beer: Marco Island Brewery,...

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Wineries | Read Time: 6 minutes

The Florida Wineries Report – August 2014

One new winery and one new meadery in August’s Florida Winery Report. Monthly Highlights Two new manufacturers are added to The Florida Wineries Report: De Luna Winery in Pensacola, and In the Mead Time in West Palm Beach. Neither manufacturer reported retail sales in August. Based on taxpaid sales, monthly sales at Florida’s wineries by 17.3%. Annualized sales for...

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ABT | Read Time: 5 minutes

Label Laws for Florida Beverages

Labels on alcoholic beverage containers must comply with both U.S. and Florida laws and regulations. The reason these laws exist is to ensure container labels accurately represent the beverage inside. Beverage manufacturers must include specific information on the product labels. Florida manufacturers must also comply with the Florida Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco’s (ABT) label registration process and, in some...

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ABT | Read Time: 4 minutes

When an Alcohol Manufacturer Closes

Nothing lasts forever, and that is particularly true in the fickle alcoholic beverage industry. While Florida has seen tremendous growth in the number of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries in the last 10 years, not all of them remain in business. The decisions that business owners make about when and how to close can have lasting effects for everyone...

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ABT | Read Time: 5 minutes

Florida Brewpubs Report – February 2014

It’s not just production breweries that are driving the growth of Florida’s brewing industry. There’s a lot of good beer coming from Florida’s brewpubs. To help Florida brewpubs and their supports stay informed about the industry, and as a companion to The Florida Breweries Report, we are launching the Florida Brewpubs Report.

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Florida | Read Time: 3 minutes

Florida Beer Bill Provides Comprehensive Rules for Taprooms, Brewpubs, Tastings, & Growlers – FL HB 7075

In House Bill 7075, the Florida House of Representative’s Business & Professional Regulation Subcommittee introduced a set of rules intended to clarify how Florida breweries get beer in their hands of consumers. The bill answers persistent questions about taprooms, brewpubs, beer tastings, and growlers. Two Kinds of Taprooms Permitted House Bill 7075 divides brewery taprooms into two categories: unlicensed taprooms...

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Florida | Read Time: 3 minutes

New Beer Bill Would Drastically Change Florida Brewery Taprooms – FL HB: 1329

On the eve of the 2014 Florida Legislative session, Representative Ray Rodriguez introduced House Bill 1329, which proposes big changes for the operation of Florida breweries. The stated purpose of HB 1329 is to authorize a “very limited exception to the three-tier system” by allowing breweries to sell their beer in growlers. While the bill does authorize growlers (in two...

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Distribution | Read Time: 3 minutes

Brewers’ Law 101: Florida Winery Licenses

Manufacturers and bottlers of wine in Florida are regulated by the State of Florida and the federal government. This post discusses the state-level licensing of wineries in Florida. Are you interested in opening a brewery instead? What license is required to make wine in Florida? The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) is authorized to issue two...

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