This article is Part 1 of our two-part series on the termination of beer franchise rights in Florida. For Part 2, see Florida Distribution Agreements: Buyouts and Buybacks. Florida’s Beer Franchise Statute (Fla. Stat. s. 563.022) puts severe controls on the contractual relationship between beer suppliers and beer distributors. Implicit to these controls is recognition of the beer franchise–a...
Continue ReadingMONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS The Data: The Florida Breweries Report reflects data published by the Florida ABT, which is available online here. 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 in its taproom....
Continue ReadingImagine a business–call it Mobile Bar–that brings the bar to you. You hire Mobile Bar for a reception, party or other event held at your home, office, or other private property. Mobile Bar has a cool, old trailer, truck, or standing bar that it brings to your location. Mobile Bar handles buying all the beer, wine and liquor and...
Continue ReadingThe 2022 Session of the Florida Legislature will include consideration of a number of bills affecting breweries, wineries, distilleries, retailers and consumers. The 2022 regular session of the Florida Legislature kicks off Tuesday, January 11, 2022. This 2-month session will see the consideration of a number of bills that could affect the Florida beverage industry as soon as July....
Continue ReadingMONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS The Data: The Florida Breweries Report reflects data published by the Florida ABT, which is available online here. 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 in its taproom....
Continue ReadingIt’s natural to want to expand a successful brewery and taproom to new parts of the state. Before launching that second Florida location for your brewery or taproom, Florida brewery owners should pay attention to the following three considerations.
Continue ReadingBefore selling alcoholic beverages in another state–whether directly to consumers (where permitted) or through an in-state distributor–a supplier must know what preliminary compliance is required in that state. In most cases, an out-of-state supplier is required to obtain permission from one or more government agencies of the destination state. While each state’s requirements are different, an out-of-state supplier is...
Continue ReadingFlorida breweries had a pretty good month for September 2021, with total monthly sales, monthly sales per brewery, and LTM sales all up. Monthly Highlights The Data: The Florida Breweries Report reflects data published by the Florida ABT, which is available online here. The ABT monthly publishes the taxpaid sales for each brewery and distributor. Unfortunately, the ABT does not publish...
Continue ReadingThe terms and conditions for popular food and alcohol delivery service apps may be incompatible with the Florida Beverage Law’s prohibition on alcohol home delivery by breweries and craft distilleries. Florida Breweries and Craft Distilleries are Prohibited from Making Deliveries to Customers The Florida Beverage Law (specifically Florida Statutes Section 561.57(1)) generally allows licensed alcohol vendors to accept remote...
Continue ReadingFortified Wine – What Is It? “Fortified wine” generally refers to any wine to which a distilled spirit has been added. Common examples of fortified wine include port, sherry, madeira, and vermouth. The most common fortifying ingredient is brandy, a liquor produced by distilling wine. Not surprisingly, Florida law (and indirectly federal law) does a fine job of handling...
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