Florida is tackling its unique growler laws this spring, but the battle seems to be losing steam. Craft beer advocates are behind a bill (HB 715) that would allow brew pubs to sell 64-ounce growlers or containers. Apparently state law prohibits beer containers of more than 32 ounces, unless they are gallon size (128 ounces).
The growler war is being fought by the craft beer makers and lobbyists, who argue that allowing the popular half-gallon containers will help the young industry flourish in the state. They face opposition from the beer distributors, who want to keep the current system, which is quite lucrative for them. Justin Clark, vice president with Cigar City Brewing, spoke his mind on the subject matter with Tampa’s Fox 13.
“It’s frustrating, because it’s such a simple idea. What we are talking about is authorizing or legalizing a container size, Clark said.
But the proposed bill is losing steam in the Legislature. For years, powerful lobbyists for Anheuser-Busch distributors have fought to keep the law just the way it is — protecting, they say, an alcohol distribution law that was put in place after prohibition. It essentially says all beer must pass through a distributor before it gets to your grocery store. Wineries are the exception.
To Learn more, watch this video over at Fox 13.
