Let the spirit(s) flow: A Senate panel OK’d a measure to raise the amount of booze a Florida craft distillery can produce per year and still be considered “craft.” The bill (SB 296) by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes bumps that cap from 75,000 gallons to 250,000 gallons—a more than 233 percent increase. The distinction […]
Craft distillers got another win in legislation approved by Gov. Rick Scott on Friday. The governor signed into law a wide-ranging bill (HB 689) that changes the state’s alcoholic beverage laws. Among the changes taking effect Saturday, the first day of the new budget year, it cuts the “annual license fee for a craft distillery from $4,000 to […]
Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed 33 bills into law Friday, including Northeast Florida State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson’s bill (HB 141) to remove some restrictions from craft distilleries. Among the highlights of the legislation: increasing production caps from 75,000 to 250,000 gallons; allowing for off-site distribution points; and relaxing limits on how many bottles a consumer could […]
A bill to allow craft distillers to sell more product directly to customers was set for a final vote Wednesday, was instead “temporarily postponed,” then finally voted out later in the day. The House eventually passed the measure (HB 141) by a 114-2 vote. Its sponsor, state Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, a St. Johns Republican, was one of […]
Let freedom pour: Bills aimed at changing beer and booze regulations in Florida have cleared their latest review panel. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee OK’d measures that would allow beer distributors to give free branded beer glasses to bars and restaurants, authorize beer companies to advertise in theme parks and let craft distillers sell more […]
As lawmakers get ready to consider relaxing the state’s booze regulations, craft distillers have started to lobby up for the 2017 Legislative Session. According to lobbying registration records reviewed Monday, some craft liquor makers have hired or re-hired representation for the upcoming session: Ron Book and Kelly Mallette, for Florida Distillers of Lake Alfred. […]
Florida’s craft distilleries got an early Christmas gift in legislation submitted Wednesday. The bill (SB 166), filed by Republican state Sen. Greg Steube of Sarasota, would change state law to craft distillers’ benefit. He filed similar legislation when he was a House member. One proposal expands how much booze they can produce and still be considered “craft,” raising the limit […]
A bill filed Friday in the Florida Legislature would remove limits on how many bottles Florida’s craft distilleries can sell directly to consumers. The legislation (HB 4023) is sponsored by state Rep. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican who last year unsuccessfully tried to remove the requirement that retailers sell hard liquor in separate stores. The measure continues to […]
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