The 2025 Session of the Florida Legislature includes consideration of a few bills with affecting breweries, wineries, distilleries, retailers and consumers. The 2025 regular session of the Florida Legislature kicked off Tuesday, March 4, 2025. This 2-month session will see the consideration of a number of bills that could affect the Florida beverage industry as soon as July. For...
Continue ReadingStarting a wine products business in Florida can be an exciting and rewarding venture. Whether you’re looking to launch a canned wine brand or sell wine online, there are several key steps and considerations to keep in mind. Here’s some general advice to help you get started and succeed in the wine industry in Florida. 1. Research and Planning...
Continue ReadingReady-to-drink beverages, often abbreviated as RTDs, have become quite popular among folks looking for convenient, pre-mixed alcoholic cocktails. These beverages come in cans and are ready for consumption right out of the fridge. However, behind the convenience lies a tangled web of taxation complexities, especially when it comes to excise taxes. Firstly, let’s understand what RTDs are. These beverages...
Continue ReadingThere 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...
Continue ReadingIn Florida, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) is concerned about violations of the Tied House Evil Law, which aims to prevent unfair practices in the alcoholic beverage industry. This law prohibits manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers from controlling local markets through payments to alcohol retailers and other unfair marketing techniques. The ABT has established guidelines for third-party...
Continue ReadingIf you’re thinking about starting a brewery, brewpub, winery, or distillery, it’s important to understand that these businesses require special licensing for both alcohol and food. While alcohol has its unique regulations, it is still considered a food product by the primary food regulatory agencies. In this blog post, we will explore the requirements for obtaining food licenses and...
Continue ReadingWhen 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...
Continue ReadingFlorida restaurants that want to sell beer, wine and liquor–whether at a restaurant bar or to seated customers–must have a 4COP-SFS (formerly known as 4COP-SRX) license issued by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) pursuant to Florida Statutes Section 561.20(2)(a)4. Most recently, this law was updated by Florida Law 2023-65, effective July 1, 2023. To get...
Continue ReadingAlcoholic beverage companies operating in Florida must apply for and maintain several federal, state and local government licenses and permits. One of the most common is the business tax receipt (BTR). Florida Counties and Cities Require BTRs for Nearly All Businesses The Florida Statutes generally authorizes counties and cities to levy a business tax for the privilege of engaging...
Continue ReadingApplicants for a Florida alcoholic beverage license–whether a manufacturing, distribution, or retail vendor license–can get a Temporary Initial License. What is it? What is a Temporary Initial License? A Temporary Initial License allows alcoholic beverage companies to get an alcoholic beverage license more quickly. As soon as the Temporary Initial License is issued, the licenseholder can immediately begin the...
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