Distilleries Archives - Brewers' Law

Distilleries Sep 14, 2025 | Read Time: 4 minutes

What “Distilling, Rectifying, or Blending” Means Under § 565.03—and Why It Determines What Florida Craft Distilleries Can Sell

By Trevor Brewer

Florida’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...

ABT Aug 10, 2025 | Read Time: 3 minutes

How Florida Distilleries Can Import Bulk Distilled Spirits for Bottling and Distribution

By Trevor Brewer

Florida 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...

Breweries Apr 6, 2025 | Read Time: 3 minutes

TTB PREMISES RULES FOR BREWERIES, WINERIES, AND DISTILLERIES

By Trevor Brewer

The federal regulations for setting up a brewery, winery, or distillery (referred to as a “distilled spirits plant” or DSP) outline strict requirements for the designated area approved for production operations, known as the “bonded premises.” The Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) is responsible for enforcing these regulations. Rules Governing the Bonded Premises Each commodity...

Breweries Oct 10, 2024 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Assignments of Alcohol Distribution Agreements in Florida

By Trevor Brewer

In Florida, alcohol distributors occasionally seek to transfer their distribution agreements to new distributors. The roles of beer, wine, or distilled spirits suppliers vary greatly in these assignments. While, beer distribution agreements are tightly regulated by the Florida Beer Franchise Law. assignments of wine or distilled spirits distribution agreements are governed only by general contract laws and principles. Florida...

Distilleries Apr 7, 2024 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Understanding Distilled Spirits Plants: What You Need to Know

By Madison Long

Have you ever wondered how whiskey or vodka is made? In the United States, it’s a process that can only happen in a special place called a Distilled Spirits Plant, or DSP for short. Let’s dive into what a DSP is all about! What is DSP? A Distilled Spirits Plant is a licensed establishment where the magic of distilling...

Beverage Legislation Jan 6, 2024 | Read Time: < 1 minute

FLORIDA BEVERAGE LEGISLATION: 2024 PRE-SESSION REVIEW OF BEVERAGE BILLS

By Trevor Brewer

The 2024 Session of the Florida Legislature will include consideration of a number of bills affecting breweries, wineries, distilleries, retailers and consumers. The 2024 regular session of the Florida Legislature kicks off Tuesday, January 9, 2024. This 2-month session will see the consideration of a number of bills that could affect the Florida beverage industry as soon as July....

ABT Dec 10, 2023 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Florida Craft Distillery Licensing Challenges

By Madison Long

Florida’s craft distillery scene has seen a remarkable surge since the enactment of the Craft Distillery Law in 2021. The numbers tell the story: from 84 licensed distilleries in September 2021, the count has now soared to 118 by September 2023. Many of these new licenses belong to manufacturers already operating as breweries or wineries, sharing manufacturing spaces to...

Breweries Dec 10, 2023 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Steps for Winding Up an Alcohol Business

By Madison Long

Winding up a business, especially in the world of alcohol manufacturing, involves a detailed process divided into three main parts: regulatory requirements, handling creditors’ claims, and managing assets. Here’s a breakdown of what each of these involves: Regulatory Requirements: For alcohol manufacturers, meeting regulatory demands is a crucial step in winding up operations. This primarily revolves around dealing with...

Breweries Sep 10, 2023 | Read Time: < 1 minute

Alcoholic Beverage Industry Participates and their Roles

By Trevor Brewer

There are a number of different ways for businesses to participate in the alcoholic beverage industry. To get the right federal and state alcoholic beverage licenses and permits, you first have to identify what role or roles your business will play. Alcoholic Beverage Industry Participation Profiles provides a table of common activities in the alcoholic beverage industry and identifies...

Beverage Legislation Sep 10, 2023 | Read Time: 3 minutes

The Role of Local Government in Alcohol Regulation

By Madison Long

When it comes to alcoholic beverage regulation, most of the spotlight falls on federal and state laws. These regulations are essential in ensuring the safe and responsible production, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages. However, there’s a significant mistake that often goes unnoticed – the lack of attention given to local government ordinances and rules. In this post, we’ll...