Legislative Alert: HB 1155 (Malt Beverages)
As the Florida Legislature considers new alcoholic beverage laws that may affect manufacturers, distributors, vendors, and consumers, the firm tracks the policymaking action through the Legislative Alert series of posts here. Bill updates, amendments, and hearings can be accessed directly through the Florida House’s websites.
“Regulation of alcohol in Florida is based upon the “three-tier system.” The system requires separation of the manufacture, distribution, and sale of alcoholic beverages. The manufacturer creates the beverages, the distributor obtains the beverages from the manufacturer and then delivers to the vendor, and the vendor makes the ultimate sale to the consumer.”
HB 1155 would create an exception to the three-tier principle by allowing breweries that produce less than 31,000 gallons per year to sell directly to vendors, bypassing the powerful network of distributors. Those breweries would also get significant relief from their existing agreements with distributors, allowing them freedom to take advantage of this new privilege.
Industry observers will know that any discussion to weaken the distribution-tier’s nearly exclusive right to sell to vendors will be hotly debated publicly and privately in Tallahassee. This will be an interesting proposal to watch as the legislative session looms.
HB 1155 - Malt Beverages
General Bill by Yeager
Malt Beverages: Authorizes certain manufacturers to sell & deliver malt beverages to vendors; authorizes manufacturer to terminate, cancel, nonrenew, & discontinue certain contracts; authorizes Division of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco to determine manufacturer's yearly production amount, upon manufacturer's request.
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Last Event: Filed on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 2:08 PM
