JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Beer containers aren’t usually a topic in Florida gubernatorial races, but for Libertarian candidate Adrian Wyllie the state’s ban on small brewers filling half-gallon jugs illustrates how regulations reward campaign contributors and stifle competitors.
Sipping a pint of Count Shakula chocolate oatmeal stout, Wyllie chatted with a Green Room Brewing customer about how the Republican-led Legislature blocked the legalization of half-gallon growlers — or refillable beer jugs — when quart and gallon growlers can be filled and sold in limitless amounts at Florida breweries. Behind the defeat was one of the state’s Budweiser distributors, who is a longtime supporter of Senate President Don Gaetz and could lose business if craft brewers gain customers.
