05 Dec Florida’s weird history with craft beer laws. Happy end of prohibition day!

Eighty- four years ago on December 5^th  the U.S. government marked the official end to Prohibition.  During Prohibition, the manufacture, transportation, export, import and sale of all alcoholic beverages was considered illegal.  This ratification of the 18^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920 was initially intended to lower crime and corruption, reduce social problems, lower the taxes that were needed to support prisons and poorhouses and finally to improve the health in America.  However, the facts are that it really achieve any of these goals, but instead almost had the opposite effect on the country.  It is reported that the passing of the Prohibition amendment resulted in people going “underground” to illegally produce and sell their homemade liquor (known better as “bootlegging”).  In many cases these homebrews contained higher alcohol levels and became even more dangerous to consume.  During these years (1920-1933) organized crime blossomed and the prison systems became overloaded.  Not exactly what lawmakers planned.  The Prohibition period is generally remembered as the period of gangsterism and characterized by violent turf battles between gangs like those led by infamous Al Capone and Bugs Moran.

It is said that Florida was one of the last states in the country to accept the end of Prohibition for one major reason.  During the days of the Prohibition, most of Florida was a considered a “wet state” – meaning that alcohol continued to be produced, consumed and even illegally imported from the Caribbean given its close proximity.  So, there was plenty of alcohol available to consume if one wanted and many did.  And the home brewers, or better known back then as “bootleggers”, found a way to brew their alcohol at a much higher alcohol level than allowed under the guidelines provided at the end of the Prohibition.

The Florida legislature still seems to at times being at odd and uncooperative with craft breweries that have in spite of it all made Florida a beer enthusiast destination.  More independent breweries continue to open their doors and create award winning brews in spite of the regulations they are often forced to work within.  Most recently was the final approval of the 64- ounce growler just a few years ago far later than most states.  But even with these obstacles, it is quite impressive to me that the brewers continue to be a strong community of artisans with a focus on helping each other survive the craft and flourish in this emerging environment.

Many brewers across the country are planning celebrations around the anniversary of Prohibition including some of our partners like Soggy Bottom in Dunedin.  I encourage each of you to drink local and support these small independent businesses that continue to find ways to give back to their local communities and make some truly great brews.

Finally, let me just end with one thought to consider…“dinosaurs had no beer and how did that work out?”  But I also believe in moderation and safety above all and just encourage all local beer enthusiasts to be smart and use discretion when it comes to drinking, driving and decorum on the celebration of the end of Prohibition and every day after.