BeerWise Podcast with Josh Aubuchon of Florida Brewers Guild

Josh Aubuchon of the Florida Brewers Guild joins the BeerWise Podcast for latest episode

In this episode of the BeerWise Podcast our guest is Josh Aubuchon, the Lobbyist and General Counsel of the Florida Brewers Guild.

Josh has held this position for many years and serves an advisor and lobbyist to the craft brewers in the State of Florida. Josh has been a part of each legislative session ever since joining the guild, lobbying on issues like 64oz growlers, brewery tasting rooms, and now self-distribution and franchise reform.

Josh talks about these and other issues during our talk that was recorded in December 2023 at his office in Tallahassee.

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BeerWise Podcast with Josh Aubuchon of Florida Brewers Guild

Thanks for joining us in the journey of the BeerWise Podcast, hosted by Mark DeNote – editor of Florida Beer News.

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J Wakefield Brewing Logo 2021

South Florida’s Johnathan Wakefield to host show on Sirius XM

One of south Florida’s fiercest independent craft brewers is getting his own radio show on Sirius XM.  Johnathan Wakefield, founder of J. Wakefield Brewing of Miami’s Wynwood District will join head brewer Maria Cabré and guests from a variety of industries to talk about the intersection between craft beer and popular culture.

Notes and ideas regarding the 64oz Growler Bill

Recently, Florida Beer News had the opportunity to speak with Josh Aubuchon, the lobbyist for the Florida Brewers Guild, who has worked on getting the 64oz growler bill passed through the House and Senate during this legislative session. Josh wanted to speak about the bill, its language, its popular and its unpopular points, as well as a few nods to the future of Florida’s craft beer.

FBN: Thanks for taking some time to discuss this bill, Josh. After so many attempts, what did it take to get the 64oz growler bill passed this time around?

JA: Getting the bill passed this time around was a concerted effort. We knew that we had to focus on getting the bill passed as early as possible. We kept in touch with leadership in both chambers, we sat down with them and answered all questions, making sure that our side was clear and that there were no surprises in the bill. And it was a good thing that we did; this is the first time since the 1960s that the two chambers ended their sessions on different days. If we had not had the bill passed, then it would have died during this session.

FBN: What gains have Florida brewers made with this bill?

JA: Well, we were operating tasting rooms under a technical loophole in the law. That loophole has now been eliminated and now any brewery can have up to eight (8) licenses under the law. While there has been talk and concern about this number being relatively low, no brewery in the state has more than two licenses currently operating. Cigar City has the most, currently operating with two licenses. After this session, the legislators have come out respecting the craft brewers of the state as honest and upfront individuals, and they did not seem opposed to possibly raising the cap when the time was right.

This is a very positive situation for craft brewers- they have limits on licensing, but they are generous. Wineries and distilleries have more stringent regulations to date and breweries still have unlimited sales.

FBN: At the end of the day there is a transfer cap, correct?

JA: That is correct, but its limits go like this: If I have two breweries and one of them produces one million barrels and one of them produces one thousand barrels, then I can transfer as much as the SMALLER brewery makes, in the case of the example this would be one thousand barrels.

FBN: How does the Guild feel about the bill?

JA: The Guild supports the provisions of the bill, realizing that the bill is not perfect, but few legislative endeavors ever are. While no one likes caps, caps can be worked with in the future, and this is a start.

In the end, this bill:

*Legalizes 64oz growlers,
*Removes the tourism exemption,
*Caps licensure, and
*Caps transfers.

As far as the legislative process this time, we made it through committee without excessive markup on the bill and we gained ground for honest lobbying. The representatives and senators now see the craft brewers of the state as business owners and as men and women out to protect their livelihood with this issue. The legislators saw our side working with three people to get this bill passed and we were able to win support and ultimately get the bill into law.

FBN: So what then is next for the lobbying arm of the Florida Brewers Guild? Are there any future bills that we should keep an eye out for?

JA: We have made some great strides in this legislative session, and we have definite plans for the future, we are going to take this bill as a first touchdown and consult with the board. The work has begun and the Guild is going to continue to push for the rights of Florida’s craft breweries.

Thanks for your time, Josh. This clears up a few issues and hopefully puts some insight through the internet. Cheers!

Florida Brewers Guild to host South Florida Festival

Press Release:

BOYNTON BEACH, FL – The Florida Brewers Guild, headquartered in Tallahassee, FL, has announced they will be hosting a beer festival featuring breweries from all over the State in Boynton Beach on November 2nd. Traditionally the Guild holds a festival every March in Tampa and this will be the first annual event held outside of the Tampa area.

“The Tampa festival has been such a success for us and folks really seem to enjoy tasting the beers from around the State so we felt it shouldn’t be confined to the Tampa area. In addition to this festival in November, we expect to have another festival in Jacksonville next year. Of course, we’ll continue to do the festival in Tampa as well.” states Mike Halker, President of the Guild.

As brands from many of the participating breweries are not currently available in the area, this festival will be one of the only opportunities in South Florida to taste these beers. A lineup of confirmed breweries is available at http://FloridaBrewersGuild.org. Ticket sales are available at this link as well.

The festival is hosted by the Florida Brewers Guild and sponsored by the City of Boynton Beach, FL.

About the Florida Brewers Guild – The Florida Brewers Guild is a non-profit organization. Their mission is to educate the public about the brewing industry in Florida; to promote networking and educational opportunities between brewers, consumers, suppliers, and government regulatory agencies; and to continually promote free market access of the Florida brewing industry to the public.