The 2026 Session of the Florida Legislature includes consideration of a few bills with affecting breweries, wineries, distilleries, retailers and consumers. The 2026 regular session of the Florida Legislature kicked off Tuesday, January 13, 2026. 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 ReadingRetailer Websites Must be ADA Compliant Florida retailers need to worry about ADA-compliant websites because the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) treats businesses like bars, restaurants, and stores as “public accommodations.” That means their websites and mobile apps must provide equal access to goods and services for people with disabilities. If a site isn’t accessible—such as missing screen reader...
Continue ReadingFlorida quota liquor licenses are among the most valuable assets in the state’s alcoholic beverage industry. Because the number of these licenses is limited by county population, they often sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Whether you’re a lender financing the purchase of a quota license or a seller providing financing through a promissory note, protecting your interest...
Continue ReadingFrequently, we speak with enthusiastic entrepreneurs who dream of launching an online wine business—often importing boutique wines from Europe and selling them directly to consumers across the U.S. via a sleek e-commerce platform. Unfortunately, many of these dreams run headfirst into a wall of federal and state alcohol laws that make this business model nearly impossible without significant restructuring....
Continue ReadingIn 2024, Florida’s laws concerning the sales of alcoholic products for off-premises consumption are confusing. Who can sell what depends greatly on (a) what’s in the product, (b) who packaged it, and (c) what Florida alcoholic beverage license is held by the seller. These tables are intended to briefly summarize the current status of Florida law when it comes...
Continue ReadingThrowing holiday parties or wedding receptions at a brewery, winery, or craft distillery in Florida can be a fantastic way to draw in guests and showcase your local drinks. But sometimes, event planners want more variety than what’s made on-site or what you’re allowed to sell in the taproom or tasting room. For example, someone organizing a holiday party...
Continue ReadingThe Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (the “ABT”)’s Declaratory Statement involving the placement of digital advertising devises in alcoholic beverage retail stores may have important implications for the future of in-store advertising of alcoholic beverage products in Florida. In 2015, the ABT issued Declaratory Statement 2015-054 in response to the petition filed by Food & Beverage Innovations,...
Continue ReadingUnderstanding the legal responsibilities that come with operating establishments such as bars, restaurants, taprooms, and tasting rooms is essential for ensuring smooth operations while upholding principles of fairness and inclusivity. In this post, we’ll delve into the intricate terrain of anti-discrimination laws in the United States, with a particular focus on Florida, shedding light on permissible reasons for refusing...
Continue ReadingOpening a 6-liter Methusaleh bottle of Veuve Clicquout Brut Champagne at your next family or friends gathering in Florida would certainly make a statement! It’s not just about the luxury of the champagne, but also the symbolism of breaking free from restrictive laws and embracing a spirit of celebration and freedom. Since the House and Senate approved Rep. Chip...
Continue ReadingWhen it comes to alcohol beverage tastings in Florida, the rules are different for beer, wine, and liquor. For this purpose, a “tasting” is an event at which a sample of the alcoholic product is given directly to an individual customer for free. Generally, customers cannot be charged for the sample (but exceptions for Florida Farm Wineries and craft...
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