Bill To Regulate Growlers Could Cripple Craft-Brewing Industry
Florida is home to a large and growing
microbrewing industry, with more than 100 operations expected to be open by the
end of this year. However, it is one of just three states that bans the sale of
popular 64 ounce growler bottles, a staple of the craft brewing industry
nationwide. Legislation, SB 1714, is making its way through the state Senate to
change that, but big beer interests successfully pushed for a legislative
provision that would require brewers who produce more than 2,000 kegs per year
to sell their bottled and canned products through the state’s existing system
of beer distributors. That would even apply to bottled and canned beer sold at
a craft brewer’s own location, even if the product never actually left the
location. Given that the vast majority of successful microbrewers produce
significantly more than 2,000 kegs per year, it would hamper virtually the
entire industry. Florida microbrewers argue that the legislation is another way
in which big breweries attempt to stamp out competition, while beer
distributors look to retain their revenue stream.
What Happens Next:
The legislation
cleared a state Senate committee on a 9-4 vote on Monday, April 21, backed by
state Senate President Don Gaetz (R). However, there is no companion bill in
the state House, and House Whip Dana Young (R) is a close ally of the craft
brewing industry. In addition, the legislation has drawn significant media
coverage in the state, much of it favorable to small brewers.
Further Reading:
The Miami
Herald
reports on the issue, with a focus on legislators’ ties to big beer interests.
The Tampa (FL)
Tribune,
the Jacksonville
(FL) Business Journal
and the AP all run pieces on the controversy.
The Florida
Brewers Guild
is an organization of Florida craft brewers, and is opposing the legislation.
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