Florida Beverage Law Archives

ABT Jul 19, 2026 | Read Time: 6 minutes

Florida’s New 60% Craft Distillery Rule Is Here. What It Means and How to Comply.

By Trevor Brewer

Effective July 1, 2026, Florida craft distilleries must satisfy a new agricultural sourcing and production requirement that is likely to reshape how many distilleries source, blend, formulate, and document their products. The new law appears in Florida Statutes Section 565.03(2)(c), which provides: “Effective July 1, 2026, a minimum of 60 percent of a craft distillery’s total finished branded products...

Florida Beverage Law Jul 4, 2026 | Read Time: 2 minutes

THE FLORIDA BREWERIES REPORT – APRIL 2026

By Trevor Brewer

The 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...

ABT Jun 7, 2026 | Read Time: 10 minutes

Other “Interested Parties” in Florida Alcoholic Beverage Licensing: Landlords, Lenders & Guarantors

By Trevor Brewer

If you’re applying for a Florida alcoholic beverage license, you probably know that you must list all owners, officers, and directors on your application. But many license applicants are surprised to learn they must also disclose other “interested parties” – individuals or companies who aren’t traditional owners but still have a financial stake or control in the business. These can include landlords, lenders, or even loan guarantors, depending on how your deals...

Breweries May 17, 2026 | Read Time: 5 minutes

Understanding Alcohol Transportation Rules in Florida: A Practical Guide for Beverage Businesses

By Trevor Brewer

Businesses that manufacture, distribute, or sell alcoholic beverages in Florida often assume that if they can legally sell alcohol, they can also move it however they want. That assumption is wrong—and it is one of the most common sources of compliance problems we see. Florida law tightly regulates how alcoholic beverages can be transported, delivered, and shipped. These rules...

Distilleries Apr 12, 2026 | Read Time: 11 minutes

Federal Court Nixes 150-Year-Old Home Distilling Ban – But Florida’s Moonshine Laws Still Hold

By Trevor Brewer

Introduction A recent federal court decision has shaken up a Prohibition-era rule. But before any hobbyist distillers in Florida get too excited, it’s crucial to know that nothing has changed about Florida’s own ban on home distilling. On April 10, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (a high-level federal court covering Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi)...

ABT Feb 15, 2026 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Private Equity Across Tiers in Florida: How to Invest Without Blowing up the Three Tier System

By Trevor Brewer

Florida’s alcoholic beverage laws make it hard for private equity (PE) investors to “own a little bit of everything” across suppliers, distributors, and retailers. Florida is a three-tier state, and the point of the system is separation: manufacturers sell to distributors, distributors sell to vendors, and vendors buy only from distributors. The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco...

Florida Beverage Law Dec 28, 2025 | Read Time: 2 minutes

THE FLORIDA BREWERIES REPORT – OCTOBER 2025

By Trevor Brewer

Compliance Sep 30, 2025 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Complimentary Alcohol for Customers in Florida: A Legal Guide for Non‑Alcohol Businesses

By Trevor Brewer

Florida 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....

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...