The use of a specific premises for the manufacturer or retail sale of alcoholic beverages is governed by the local zoning authority having jurisdiction over the location of the premises. The local zoning authority is generally charged with enforcing local zoning and land use ordinances and regulations and issuing permits for uses that require specific approval.
Continue ReadingHealth approval is required on all applications for the 2COP license and other licenses permitting consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises. Businesses that serve food or are located on premises licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants, must obtain approval from that division. Businesses that do not serve food must contact...
Continue ReadingPrior to selling alcoholic beverages in Florida (which is subject to sales tax) or employing employees in Florida (which is subject to unemployment tax), every beverage company must register with the DOR, or Florida’s Department of Revenue. Form DR-1 Registering with the DOR involves filing the Florida Business Tax Application (DR-1). Form DR-1 is filed online using the DOR’s...
Continue ReadingThe retail sale of alcoholic beverages (generally, any beverage with greater than 0.5% alcohol by volume) is regulated by the state government. Within the government of the State of Florida, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT). The ABT is the agency responsible for licensing the alcoholic beverage industry, for collection and...
Continue ReadingThe manufacture of alcoholic beverages (generally, any beverage with greater than 0.5% alcohol by volume) is regulated by the federal government and the state government. Within the government of the State of Florida, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT). The ABT is the agency responsible for licensing the alcoholic beverage industry,...
Continue ReadingThe manufacture of alcoholic beverages (generally, any beverage with greater than 0.5% alcohol by volume) is regulated by the federal government and the state government. Within the federal government, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is the agency charged with collecting federal taxes on alcohol and assuring compliance with alcohol permitting, labeling,...
Continue ReadingAs previously reported, the ABT has adopted a new policy requiring all taproom license applications to be reviewed in the Tallahassee district office. The new policy was announced in an email from Marie Fraher, the ABT’s Chief of Licensing, in an email to ABT licensing personnel. We obtained a copy of Ms. Fraher’s email by public records request, and...
Continue ReadingShortly after before the Florida Independent Spirits Association (FISA) and the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) filed lawsuits accusing the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (ABT) of improperly licensing Florida brewery taprooms (discussed in Q&A for Breweries: The FISA Lawsuit), the ABT quietly changed its procedure for how brewery applications are to be handled.
Continue ReadingAs Florida-made craft beer, spirits, and wine continue to grow in popularity, Florida beverage manufacturers may find it hard to keep up with demand. Every growing manufacturer must ask: Should we expand? Deciding to expand involves answering a slew of questions, all while keeping existing production on track. This article reviews four primary questions a manufacturer must answer when...
Continue ReadingIn House Bill 7075, the Florida House of Representative’s Business & Professional Regulation Subcommittee introduced a set of rules intended to clarify how Florida breweries get beer in their hands of consumers. The bill answers persistent questions about taprooms, brewpubs, beer tastings, and growlers. Two Kinds of Taprooms Permitted House Bill 7075 divides brewery taprooms into two categories: unlicensed taprooms...
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