Labels 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 ReadingRetail sales are up for the month of July at Florida’s wineries. 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, ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, and...
Continue ReadingStarting a new beverage manufacturing business takes more than a good beverage, it takes money. Selling ownership shares in your business is an attractive source of start-up funding, but it’s risky. When you take money from investors in exchange for ownership, two things are true. First, your investors expect you to deliver on your promises about the success of...
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,...
Continue ReadingChoosing the location for your new Florida brewery, winery, or distillery is a big moment in the life of your beverage business. Before making a final decision, answer these five questions about the location.
Continue ReadingNothing lasts forever, and that is particularly true in the fickle alcoholic beverage industry. While Florida has seen tremendous growth in the number of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries in the last 10 years, not all of them remain in business. The decisions that business owners make about when and how to close can have lasting effects for everyone...
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 ReadingThe Florida Legislature is considering a pair of bills aimed at Florida’s wine and spirits importers. House Bill 1201 and Senate Bill 1552 are mirror images of one another. If passed, the bills would make technical corrections surrounding the “American source of supply” designation and would prohibit alteration of imported bottles of wine or spirits.
Continue ReadingManufacturers and bottlers of wine in Florida are regulated by the State of Florida and the federal government. This post discusses the state-level licensing of wineries in Florida. Are you interested in opening a brewery instead? What license is required to make wine in Florida? The Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT) is authorized to issue two...
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