Despite a boom in business for craft breweries, a challenge to a Florida law may stifle growth.
Mike Harting started 3 Daughters Brewing in St. Petersburg a year ago and already it’s a huge success.
“Far exceeded our expectations,” said Harting. “We are growing by leaps and bounds."
Florida liquor stores and beer distributors are teaming up to challenge the law that allows Harting and other craft breweries to sell their beers in tasting rooms.
“In our case we’re big enough now that we wouldn’t have to shut down," Harting said. "I don’t think that’s the case for some of the smaller ones, and it wouldn’t have been the case for us six months ago, but it would slow us down tremendously.”
The majority of 3 Daughters' business comes from the beers they sell in their tasting room.
The Florida Retail Federation, who is suing the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, said it’s about clarifying the rules regarding selling beer at breweries.
Harting says a shutdown isn’t necessary, but a change is.
“I think everyone is in agreement that the law is antiquated, it needs to catch up with the way that we look today," Harting said. "It wasn’t built for the industry having 100 to 200 small breweries.”