Beverage manufacturers–breweries, distilleries, and wineries–are ideally suited to bring valuable investment to rundown neighborhoods and distressed communities. These are the exact areas targeted by the Opportunity Zone tax incentives created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Some new and existing beverage manufacturers might benefit from locating in “O-Zones.”
Continue ReadingFlorida’s new Hemp Law became effective July 1, 2019, and with it “hemp” beer (and other products) is now legal in Florida. However, federal and state regulations still limit use of hemp in alcoholic beverages.
Continue ReadingFrom a regulatory standpoint, making beer and wine (including cider or any other fruit-derived alcoholic beverage) is possible, but it requires a couple of extra steps especially if the same equipment or premises will be used in production of both beer and wine.
Continue ReadingThe 2017 Session of the Florida Legislature will include consideration of 16 beverage-related bills.
Continue ReadingWhen it comes to alcoholic beverage tastings in Florida, the rules are different for beer, wine, and liquor.
Continue ReadingThink before you post, tag, tweet, or instagram. Florida beverage manufacturers want to maintain good relationships with the bars, tasting rooms, and restaurants that sell their products. As a manufacturer, it’s natural to want to support the vendors that support you. But when it comes to promoting vendors on social media, Florida beverage manufacturers must use caution.
Continue ReadingWaiting for the TTB’s approval for a new beverage manufacturer has always been frustrating. Unfortunately, that wait could get a lot longer, especially for new breweries. TTB permit processing times According to the TTB’s posted information, the average number of days for approval of a new brewery jumped from 115 days in July 2015 to 132 days in August...
Continue ReadingLabels on alcoholic beverage containers must comply with both U.S. and Florida laws and regulations. The reason these laws exist is to ensure container labels accurately represent the beverage inside. Beverage manufacturers must include specific information on the product labels. Florida manufacturers must also comply with the Florida Alcohol Beverage and Tobacco’s (ABT) label registration process and, in some...
Continue ReadingI am personally inviting you to Florida Craft’s Kickoff Event, Wednesday, October 15, from 5 pm to 8 pm at Redlight Redlight in Orlando. As many of you know, the Brewers’ Law team has for the last year been deeply focused on helping Florida beverage manufacturers—brewers, winemakers, and distillers—with the legal and regulatory steps for launching and operating their...
Continue ReadingIntroducing the all-new Florida Wineries Report–monthly rankings and data tracking the growth of Florida’s winemaking industry. Notes About this Edition of The Florida Wineries Report All beverage manufacturers holding a AMW (manufacturer or bottler of wine) or a BMCW (manufacturer of wines and cordials) are included in The Florida Wineries Report. This includes cideries, meaderies, vineyards, make-it-yourself wine shops,...
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