Freedom fighters in Florida say growler ban is unconstitutional

Growlers
JW Walthall
JW Walthall

Though it's not technically in the Bill of Rights, we're sure any legal scholar would agree that the right to unrestricted craft beer is implied in that whole "no cruel or unusual punishment" business. And yet, Florida, a land already noted for breathtakingly insane legislation, has been infringing on that basic human right by banning restaurants and breweries from filling up patrons' half-gallon growlers. A group of determined patriots is now looking to end this ban, with a civil rights lawsuit filed yesterday.

Under Florida's current set-up, breweries can sell their beer in quart- and gallon-sized containers, but not in half-gallon growlers, which are hands down the most popular. While it's a widely-reviled law, two attempts to repeal it have been scuttled. So The Crafted Keg (a craft beer restaurant in Stuart) has taken matters into their own hands by filing a lawsuit with the help of the Pacific Legal Foundation, which is taking the case pro bono, like the true heroes they are. The plaintiffs insist the legislation makes it hard for fledgling craft breweries to grow, and particularly hurts them when it comes to out-of-town customers, who wander in looking to take home some new suds and are shot down. We'll have to wait and see if Lady Liberty sides with the beer nerds, but in the meantime, we hope Grisham is turning this into a killer legal thriller.

Kristin Hunt is a Food/Drink staff writer for Thrillist, and hopes Grisham calls this one The Porter Brief. Follow her to lame jokes at @kristin_hunt.