If you make or sell wine or wine-based beverages with less than 7% alcohol by volume (ABV), you’re dealing with a unique regulatory split. These products are not subject to the usual alcohol labeling rules from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Instead, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) takes the lead on labeling. But TTB...
Continue ReadingFlorida salons, galleries, boutiques, professional offices, and even auto dealerships often ask if they can offer a glass of beer, wine, or bubbly as a courtesy to customers. The short answer: Yes—if it’s truly complimentary and handled carefully. Below is a practical roadmap grounded in Florida law, with concrete do’s and don’ts to keep your hospitality legal and low‑risk....
Continue ReadingThe Data: The Florida Breweries Report reflects data published by the Florida ABT, which is available online here, as of the date of publication. The ABT monthly publishes the taxpaid sales for each brewery and distributor. Unfortunately, the ABT does not publish breweries’ sales to distributors. This means that the Florida Breweries Report reflects only breweries’ taxpaid sales, which are generally made...
Continue ReadingFlorida’s craft distilleries’ identity depends on three manufacturing activities. Section 565.03 of the Florida Statutes repeatedly uses “distilling, rectifying, or blending” to define (1) what a branded product is, (2) who qualifies as a craft distillery, and (3) what a craft distillery may sell to consumers from its gift shop or tasting room. Understanding these terms is essential for...
Continue ReadingWhat is a “Primary American Source of Supply”? A Primary American Source of Supply (often shortened to PASS) is a state‑law concept that designates the closest authorized US‑based source from which wholesalers may lawfully obtain a particular wine or spirits brand. The idea is to ensure tax control, traceability, and product authenticity by requiring wholesalers to buy directly from...
Continue ReadingThe Data: The Florida Breweries Report reflects data published by the Florida ABT, which is available online here, as of the date of publication. The ABT monthly publishes the taxpaid sales for each brewery and distributor. Unfortunately, the ABT does not publish breweries’ sales to distributors. This means that the Florida Breweries Report reflects only breweries’ taxpaid sales, which are generally made...
Continue ReadingFlorida distilleries increasingly look to import bulk distilled spirits for bottling and distribution, whether to expand their own product lines or provide co-packing services to foreign producers. A Florida distillery can serve as its own importer or it can contract with a Florida importer for purposes of bringing bulk spirits into the state. In either case, the process is...
Continue ReadingThe Data: The Florida Breweries Report reflects data published by the Florida ABT, which is available online here, as of the date of publication. The ABT monthly publishes the taxpaid sales for each brewery and distributor. Unfortunately, the ABT does not publish breweries’ sales to distributors. This means that the Florida Breweries Report reflects only breweries’ taxpaid sales, which are generally made...
Continue ReadingThe Data: The Florida Breweries Report reflects data published by the Florida ABT, which is available online here, as of the date of publication. The ABT monthly publishes the taxpaid sales for each brewery and distributor. Unfortunately, the ABT does not publish breweries’ sales to distributors. This means that the Florida Breweries Report reflects only breweries’ taxpaid sales, which are generally made...
Continue ReadingFrequently, we speak with enthusiastic entrepreneurs who dream of launching an online wine business—often importing boutique wines from Europe and selling them directly to consumers across the U.S. via a sleek e-commerce platform. Unfortunately, many of these dreams run headfirst into a wall of federal and state alcohol laws that make this business model nearly impossible without significant restructuring....
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