You want to give your restaurant guests a complete dining experience, so you’re thinking about getting a license to legally sell alcohol in your establishment. A Special Food Service (SFS) license will allow you to sell wine, beer, and hard liquor. However, there are...
Alcoholic Beverage Law
Why does Florida have a three-tier regulatory system?
Florida is one of 32 states that operate a three-tier competitive/license regulatory model. The three tiers are manufacturer, distributor/importer and retailer, which are all licensed by the state. This model was founded after prohibition to prevent manufacturers from...
The importance of declaratory statements in the liquor industry
In Florida, the liquor and alcohol industry is governed by a complex set of laws and regulations even the most astute observer would have a hard time keeping track of. The written statutes cannot address every potential set of circumstances a private party could face....
Distilleries will soon serve liquor in-house
Craft beer has revolutionized the liquor and hospitality industry in many ways. Of course, it helped educate the palates of millions who thought they hated beer, only to find out that they hate mass-produced American pilsner. Once on board the craft beer bandwagon, it...
New bill enables some restaurants to sell alcohol for delivery
The hospitality industry was one of the hardest hit during the pandemic. In efforts to bolster these businesses here in Florida, there were a number of special measures designed to generate sales despite closures, limited capacities and fewer hours open for business....
TTB accepts two orders of compromise
The Department of the Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) collects alcohol and cigarette excise taxes for the federal government. Like the IRS, the TTB goes after those who do not pay their fair share of taxes and can (within reason) negotiate the...
The craft beer industry faces a #MeToo reckoning
Words “craft beer” conjure up thoughts of hop-heavy IPAs, tangy sours, chewy stouts, and other traditional styles done right. There is also the image of some guys with beards standing around brewing equipment in a garage. Indeed, the craft beer and emerging liquor...
What type of liquor license will you need to serve alcohol at a one-time event?
After a tumultuous 2020, the nonprofit organization you have volunteered for over the last decade may need a large fundraiser to bolster its budget. You decide to host a dinner and wine event and feature many signature wines from a variety of Florida wineries. Or you...
What goes on a wine bottle label
Wine producers each have their packaging priorities, perhaps emphasizing a memorable brand name, a unique font, the label art, or graphics. But, alcohol beverages have strict mandatory requirements enforced by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)...
The TTB accepts an $850,000 offer in compromise
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau under the Treasury Department recently accepted an $850,000 offer in compromise. It involves the Chicago area-based alcoholic beverage distributors RN Acquisition, LLC and City Beverage – Markham, LLC. The distributors...
