Craft distilleries bill advances in House

Craft Distillery Bill Advances in the House

Holly Raschein bill also lets service dogs into tastings.

By Jacob Ogles

A change in law letting distilleries bottle drinks in a wider variety of sizes has cleared its first 

hurdle in the Florida House. Rep. Holly Raschein, a Key West Republican, stressed the 

legislation aims to let more Florida-based distilleries take advantage of market needs. 

The bill (HB 1165) does this by repealing statutes related to wine and cider container 

size limitations and by specifying restaurant patrons may take home a partially consumed 

bottle of wine with the purchase of a meal. The legislation passed in the House Business 

and Professions Subcommittee, where it was one of multiple pieces of legislation aimed at 

lifting restrictions on alcohol businesses. Should the legislation become law, distillers could 

blend bottled spirits together. It would also increase the maximum production threshold for 

craft distilleries from 75,000 to 250,000 gallons and allow up to 75,000 gallons to be sold 

straight from a company’s own gift shop.

It also authorizes the issuance of up to three vendor’s licenses for the sale of  alcoholic beverages on a distillery’s premises. Moreover, it lets distilleries hold  tastings and tours anywhere liquor can legally be sold.

Rep. Wengay Newton, a St. Petersburg Democrat, questioned whether the 

legislation would end up letting distilleries go around existing rules on distribution. 

Raschein stressed that was not the intention of the bill.

Another important part of the bill allows dogs to move around distilleries, something

 that gained the attention of Subcommittee Chair Heather Fitzenhagen. The Fort

 Myers Republican wanted clarity on how that would impact food and beverage health protections.

Raschein noted the legislation would change the law that now forbids dogs from 

being on the premises for distilleries, there still would be restrictions on where 

canines could go. The bill would let service animals be accommodated but still won’t let 

animals on counters where food gets served or prepared and prohibits animals 

from having any contact with any items that come in contact with food. Dog 

waste must be cleaned up immediately, and areas must be kept sanitized in line 

with health regulations. Rep. Matt Willhite, a Palm Beach Democrat, supported the legislation but did 

ask that regulations involving craft alcohol industries be looked at more “holistically.”

To Purchase an alcohol License in Florida please visit www.LiquorLicenseFL.com

Taco Bell's spinoff "Taco Bell Cantina" serving beer and slushy cocktails start to open around Florida!

Taco Bell's spinoff "Taco Bell Cantina"  serving beer and slushy Cocktails starting to open around Florida!

Imagine That, Baja Blast Slushy Cocktails! Dubbed "Twisted Freezes"

Credit to:

Phillip Valys - South Florida Sun Sentinel

Taco Bell Cantina, an upscale version of the franchise that serves alcohol, has opened its first South Florida location at Fort Lauderdale Beach Place. 

Taco Bell Cantina, an alcohol-fueled spinoff of the fast-food giant, has opened its first South Florida location at Fort Lauderdale Beach Place.

The Tex-Mex chain, which soft-opened to the public on Oct. 21 at 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., is planning a grand-opening bash from 5 p.m. Nov. 1 until 11 p.m. Nov. 2 with free swag giveaways, live music, and food and drink samples.

An upscale version of the franchise but without a drive-thru, the industrial-chic Taco Bell Cantina is aimed at college kids and the millennial set. Which means customers can now wash down their steak chalupas and Cool Ranch Doritos Locos tacos with draft beer or “Twisted Freezes,” the restaurant’s phrase for frozen cocktails.

Taco Bell Cantina, has opened its first South Florida location at Fort Lauderdale Beach Place. (Carline Jean / South Florida Sun Sentinel)

The cantina’s design features communal-style seating with bar stools, an open kitchen with wraparound bar, and a custom menu with sharable appetizers. Customers order from the counter or from touchscreen point-of-sale kiosks.

Twisted Freezes ($6) include margaritas, Baja Blast, Cantina Punch, ginger beer and lemonade, and each can be infused with choice of rum, vodka or tequila. Draft beer ($3-$4) includes Red Stripe, Bud Light, Blue Moon and Havana Lager.

The cantina is one of 43 locations across the country the brand began rolling out in 2015. Naturally, anything from the Taco Bell menu can be ordered, but the cantina also includes sharable nacho boxes ($6.99), including Chicken Enchilada Nacho, Steak and Cheddar Nacho and the Fiesta Taco Salad Nacho.

As with other Beach Place restaurants catering to intrepid midnight eaters, the cantina keeps long hours. The restaurant is open 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

If you are in need of a Florida Liquor License for your establishment Please contact Jason Long in Cape Coral jason@liqourlicensefl.com