Jim Rosica
The House on Friday sent back a Senate beer advertising bill, having tacked on language that would also allow beer makers to give free glasses to bars and restaurants.
The measure (SB 388) allow advertising and sponsoring of events by beer companies in the state’s theme parks. It passed the House on a 110-9 vote.
But the House added a provision, lobbied for by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world’s biggest brewer, to allow manufacturers to distribute glasses with brand names and logos.
That revives what was known as the “beer glass bill,” which had been sponsored by former Sen. Frank Artiles, the Miami-Dade Republican who resigned earlier this session.
Universal Orlando has supported the bill. Some beer industry representatives had privately complained, however, they “fear being extorted by the theme parks” to pay to sponsor events.
