St. Augustine distillery hopeful new legislation could lift tight restrictions

Local distilleries are pushing for change that would allow them more freedom to sell their products directly to consumers.

Two new bills could open the door to fewer restrictions.

It takes hours of skilled labor to produce what we know as alcohol and the St. Augustine Distillery has it down to a science.

Once the bottles are filled and make their way to the shelves, distillery CEO and co-founder Phil McDaniel said there are strict limitations on how much his business can sell.

“We have to track the two bottles that they buy and we have to say ‘no’ a lot,” McDaniel said.

By law, people are prohibited from buying more than two bottles per brand per year directly from craft distilleries.

Customer Brittany Fraser said she believes it’s an unfair law.

“They should be able to benefit the most from selling that product,” Fraser said.

According to McDaniel, the law also makes it difficult to compete.

“Wineries and breweries can sell bottles from their tasting rooms without limit. They can sell drinks by the glass,” McDaniel said.

Right now, two bills, House Bill 141 and Senate Bill 166, are making their way through committees.

Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, of St. Johns County, filed one of the bills in the House.

“We are still working out a few concerns that have been raised. It is important that we pass this good bill that will get government out of the way to give our local craft distillers a chance to grow and prosper,” Stevenson said.

If passed, the bill would do away with the bottle quotas and allow shops to branch out with tasting rooms in other locations.

“We are confident that the Legislature will want free markets to grow and allow consumers more choice,” said McDaniel.

But not everyone agrees, and the bills could face stiff opposition from distribution companies.

McDaniel said he’s hopeful all parties can reach a compromise.

“We just think it's time for change,” said McDaniel.

Stevenson said she expects to have the first hearing in the House during the second week of the legislative session.