A bill allowing beer drinkers to fill 64-ounce containers, popularly known as “growlers,” passed a Florida Senate committee Thursday, but with changes that went flat with at least one lawmaker.
Sen. Jack Latvala sponsored SB 406, intending to help the craft brewing industry sell microbrews in growlers, currently permitted in 47 other states.
Florida allows brewpubs to load either 32-ounce containers or gallon buckets, but not 64-ounce growlers. Sellers fill growlers directly from the tap and then use a twist-cap to seal the bottle, which avoids open container laws.
Questions about the bill arose Thursday because Latvala pitched another brewing proposal to the committee, one allowing beer tastings at retail stores and licensed beer distributors.
Sen. Nancy Detert, caught off guard, said she was unaware that her own beer-tasting proposal (SB 470) became part of the growler bill and served it to the Regulated Industries Committee, of which Detert is a member. Latvala also wanted to use Detert’s original version.
Although Regulated Industries approved Detert’s proposal in January, it was with the agreement the legislation would be modified to limit small businesses, mostly convenience stores, from hosting public beer samplings. Florida currently allows wine and spirits tastings at premises approved to sell such beverages.
Detert will redraft the bill’s language before it reaches the next step — Community Affairs Committee. Latvala’s motion passed the Regulated Industries Committee unanimously, and he apologized to Detert and vowed to oust her language from SB 406 before its next committee.
“I’m fully happy with her handling that issue in her own bill,” Latvala said, “and I will take it out.”
