According to News-Press.com, a bill passed in Florida could result in major changes across the country, affecting companies large and small. Given the current state of affairs between large breweries and craft ones about the new “Craft Beer Label”, it’s interesting to see both large and small breweries on the same side of an issue. In Florida, legislation was passed earlier in the year regarding free glassware being given out from breweries to restaurants and bars that serve their beer.
The bill that was unanimously passed stated that distributors could provide up to five, 24-count cases of glassware per bar, per year. However, the bill has been strongly opposed by MillerCoors, being represented by lobbyist Jon Costello. They claim that the largest of beer companies, such as Anheuser-Busch, with deep pockets, could then outspend other breweries. With this, larger companies could then afford to provide free glassware to more bars, affecting what bars may choose to serve.
According to Joshua Aubuchon, a lobbyist for the Florida Brewers Guild and News-press.com, even if a brewer offered five cases to each bar, at a cost of $1 per glass, it could add up to $42,000. Assuming the brewery had 350 customers, Aubuchon said. “We simply can’t afford it,”
As time goes on, we will see just to what effect this law has on the tabletop industry.
-S. Jones
