BEER-QUAFFING FLORIDIANS COULD SOON FACE SOME NOVEL CHOICES

For the first time in 34 years they could face deciding between, say,
a 12-ounce Coors, which has long been available, and an 11.2-ounce
Belgian Chimay, which is outlawed only because of its size.

State lawmakers are considering abandoning the state's decades-old
restrictions on beer containers.

Current law allows beer to be sold in containers of 8, 12, 16 or 32
ounces. 'The restriction does not apply to beer sold in containers of
one gallon or more, including kegs or barrels.

A Senate staff report proposes the state allow beer to be packaged in
any size container up to 32 ounces, a move that could make available
4,300 brands of domestic microbrews and metric-size European specialty
beers now banned here. Currently, 772 brands of beer are registered
for sale in Florida.

The current container size restriction statute limits consumer
choice," the report concluded. "There are many malt beverage products
sold in other states that are not available in Florida, and the
container size restriction is one barrier to the entry of these
products into the Florida market."

For a brew pub in Ybor City, the recommendation is welcome news. "I
think its a great idea," said Steve Bird, owner of New World Brewery.
Bird called the existing law "protectionism for domestic brewers."

There are still hurdles to overcome before customer-, will find exotic
new imports in local stores.

The Florida Beer Wholesalers Association and the Beer Industry of
Florida, which opposed such a change in the past haven't yet adopted a
position.

And some committee members have doubts about the proposal. Sen. Betty
Holzendorf, D-jacksonville, who has a brewery in her district said she
can't understand what's wrong with the current statute.

Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, chairman of the Regulated Industries
Committee, strongly favors changing the law. The committee plans to
continue to explore the issue over the coming months.

Guy Spearman, a lobbyist for Anheuser-Busch Companies, said his
company is staying neutral.