Last year, an attempt to rewrite Florida law to legalize beer growlers went nowhere fast in the state legislature. But with the craft beer industry continuing to grow in Florida, lawmakers are going to give it another shot. This year, another related bill would also legalize beer tastings, which are technically illegal in Florida as well.
Florida's beer container laws, which date back to the Prohibition era, state that beer can only be sold in container of a gallon or more or 32 ounces or less. In most states craft beer breweries regularly sell their products in half-gallon containers known as growlers.
Though a vote on whether to legalize growlers was postponed yesterday, senators promised to bring the bill back. Still, beer fanatics still have reason to celebrate.
According to the Sun Sentinel, the Senate Regulated Industries Committee advanced a bill yesterday that would legalize beer tastings.
"It doesn't make sense to me you can have wine tastings and not beer tastings," Sen. Nancy Detert (R - Venice), told the paper. Adding, "Craft beer seems to be a growth industry in Florida."
Though, the alcohol industry is still concerned over the wording of where beer tastings could actually be held and who could hold them. The bill, as written, would allow only licensed distributors and vendors to sponsor samplings, but the craft beer industry would also like to extend the right to actual breweries.
The bill is expected to have amendments added before it makes it to the Senate floor.
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