Retail Archives - Brewers' Law

Imports Jun 15, 2025 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Why You Can’t Just Import Wine and Sell It Online: A Legal Reality Check for Florida Entrepreneurs

By Trevor Brewer

Frequently, 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....

Retail Oct 6, 2024 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Alcohol To-Go: Who Can Sell What Under Florida Alcohol Laws

By Trevor Brewer

In 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...

Retail Sep 15, 2024 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Event Space Rental Arrangements Make Florida Tasting Rooms More Versatile

By Trevor Brewer

Throwing 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...

ABT Aug 11, 2024 | Read Time: 5 minutes

In-Store Digital Ads: Florida Alcohol Law Compliance

By Trevor Brewer

The 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,...

Retail May 11, 2024 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Avoid Illegal Discrimination in Event Hosting

By Madison Long

Understanding 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...

Retail Mar 10, 2024 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Large-Format Wine Bottles Legal in Florida

By Trevor Brewer

Opening 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...

Distribution Feb 10, 2024 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Rules for Alcohol Sample Tastings in Florida

By Madison Long

When 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...

Retail Feb 9, 2024 | Read Time: 3 minutes

Florida Alcohol Retailers: Avoid Packaging of Pre-Batched Cocktails

By Madison Long

In recent years, cocktails have surged in popularity, becoming a staple in bars and restaurants. From classic concoctions like the Old Fashioned to trendy mixes like the Espresso Martini, consumers are eager to sample a variety of flavors and combinations. Even wine and beer cocktails have found their place on menus, with favorites like the Mimosa and Michelada captivating...

ABT Jan 6, 2024 | Read Time: 2 minutes

Understanding Florida’s Alcoholic Beverage Product Sample Rules

By Trevor Brewer

Alcoholic beverage suppliers in Florida–whether manufacturers, importers, or broker-sales agents–are limited in the ways that they can get their products into the market. Generally, suppliers must sell their products to licensed distributors, and distributors must sell their products to licensed retail vendors. So how do suppliers introduce new alcoholic beverage products to Florida retail vendors? One way is to...

ABT Oct 8, 2023 | Read Time: 4 minutes

US Appeals Court: Florida Cannot Stop Direct-to-Consumer Shipments by Out-of-State Wine Retailers

By Madison Long

The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit recently ruled that the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) waited too long–by 16 years–to try to change a district court ruling that allows out-of-state wine retailers to sell and deliver wine directly to Florida consumers. See Bainbridge vs Director of the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages...