Craft breweries across the state are celebrating today as a new law takes effect allowing them to sell their suds in 64-ounce refillable containers known as growlers. The state failed last year to legalize what is considered the industry standard size.
One Fort Myers brewery started selling the growlers as the clock struck midnight.
The Point Ybel Brewing Company opened to a line of less than 20 people waiting to be among the first to buy and fill their new growlers.
Before the law went into effect, breweries could only sell 32 or 128 ounce growlers.
Point Ybel owner Walter Costello said the 64 ounce growlers are more of a symbolic win for Florida craft brewers. He said the new growlers won’t affect his bottom line.
“In fact, we made more money selling two 32 ounce growlers versus a 64 ounce growler, but it’s still a victory. Since it’s kind of the first victory that we’ve had for craft brewers we can use it as a stepping stone to get more important things done in the future.”
Point Ybel was only open for an hour to sell the containers. The customers could take their beer with them in their new full growlers to drink later.
