Beer Buying Options At Florida Games: A Guide

Beer is widely available in Florida, with varying restrictions depending on the county. Alcohol sales on SEC college campuses received a boost in 2019, when a vote allowed each school to make its own decision on whether to sell alcohol during athletic events. The University of Florida, for example, sells alcohol at baseball, softball, and lacrosse games. Beer can be purchased at bars and restaurants, package and liquor stores, breweries and taprooms, and gas stations in Florida. The state sets the hours for alcohol sales from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., but some counties allow sales outside of these hours, and a few even permit 24/7 sales.

Beer at Florida Gator games

The University of Florida's Gators have a rich history, with the football team continuously fielded since 1906, barring the 1943 season due to World War II. The Gators have passionate fans, intense rivalries, and a vibrant game day culture.

In recent years, there have been changes to the alcohol policies surrounding Gator games, which have impacted the overall experience. In 2019, a vote during the Spring Meetings allowed each school in the SEC to decide on selling alcohol on campus during athletic events. This decision marked a significant shift, as previously, alcohol sales were not permitted.

The University of Florida took its first step towards implementing this new policy by introducing a pilot program for alcohol sales during baseball, softball, and lacrosse games. This trial program was designed to assess the impact of alcohol sales at these events, with specific guidelines in place to ensure responsible consumption. Alcoholic beverages were limited to designated stationary locations, with an identification check required at every point of sale to prevent sales to minors. Sales were restricted to beer and wine, and fans with valid IDs could purchase a maximum of two drinks. Additionally, alcohol had to be dispensed into cups, and staff underwent safe server training to handle high-risk situations effectively.

The University of Florida also allowed tailgating on campus during Gator games, which included drinking on university property. This decision was made after COVID-19 restrictions in 2020 prevented tailgating and associated drinking on campus. The return of tailgating was welcomed by fans, providing an opportunity to enhance the game day experience and showcase their passion for the Gators.

The impact of these changes has been mixed. While some fans embrace the convenience of purchasing alcohol within the stadium and the ability to tailgate on campus, others have expressed concerns about the potential for drunkenness, especially with night games. Law enforcement and university officials remain vigilant in addressing these concerns, implementing measures to ensure responsible drinking and maintaining a safe environment for all attendees.

The University of Florida continues to navigate the complexities of alcohol sales and consumption during Gator games, striving to balance fan experience, safety, and responsible drinking. These changes reflect a broader shift in policies and cultural attitudes towards alcohol consumption, with the University of Florida at the forefront of this evolving landscape.

Alcohol sales at SEC college campuses

Alcohol sales at college campuses have been a topic of much discussion and debate in recent years, with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) ultimately leaving the decision to individual colleges. This change came into effect on 1 August 2019, lifting a 30-year ban on alcohol sales in general admission areas.

The Decision to Lift the Ban

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey stated that the decision was made after observing trends in alcohol sales and consumption at collegiate sporting events and taking into account the experiences of member schools that had already established limited alcohol sales. The organisation wanted to allow colleges to make the decision for themselves, and many have done so with careful consideration.

The Impact of the Decision

The impact of this decision has been varied across SEC colleges. Some schools, such as Arkansas, LSU, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt, were quick to adopt the change and started selling beer and wine within months of the ban being lifted. Others, like Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Auburn, have continued to sell alcohol in a limited capacity without extending sales to the general public.

Alcohol Sales at the University of Florida

The University of Florida, also known as the Florida Gators, initially took a cautious approach. They began with a trial program of limited alcohol sales at baseball, softball, and lacrosse games. Alcoholic beverages were sold only at designated stationary locations and with strict measures in place, such as ID checks and a limit of two drinks per person.

Following this trial, the University of Florida expanded alcohol sales to select concession areas of men's basketball games, with the potential to introduce alcohol sales during football season depending on the success of the pilot program.

Benefits of Alcohol Sales

Colleges that have implemented alcohol sales have reported increased revenue and enhanced fan experience. Texas A&M, for example, saw a gross total alcohol revenue of approximately $2.4 million in 2019. Additionally, schools like West Virginia and Oregon have reported a decrease in alcohol-related incidents since introducing alcohol sales.

Challenges and Considerations

While the sale of alcohol at college campuses can provide financial and experiential benefits, there are also challenges and considerations to address. These include state liquor laws and licensing requirements, cultural and societal pressures, and the need to ensure a safe and positive experience for all fans, including those who may be concerned about the presence of alcohol.

The decision to allow alcohol sales at SEC college campuses has been a complex one, with each institution weighing the potential benefits against the risks and making decisions that best suit their individual needs and values. The impact of this change continues to be monitored and evaluated by colleges, with a focus on maintaining a positive game-day atmosphere while also exploring new opportunities for revenue and fan experience enhancement.

Florida's dry counties

Florida has a long history of alcohol prohibition, and until recently, it was illegal to sell liquor in several of its counties. Dry counties in Florida forbid the sale of liquor, but beer and other low-alcohol drinks are legal everywhere in the state. Anything under 6.2% alcohol content is permitted, and the rest is subject to county rules.

In 2012, there were still five dry counties in Florida: Suwannee, Madison, Lafayette, Liberty, and Washington. Suwannee County had banned alcohol for 65 years until residents voted in 2011 to allow liquor sales. The Brown Lantern in Live Oak, Suwannee's biggest city, became the first establishment to sell alcohol.

In 2012, Madison County was also dry, only allowing beer sales if the alcohol content was under 6.243%. That same year, the county voted to become wet and allow individual drinks.

In 2017, Jackson County, which was already wet, held a referendum on whether to allow individual drinks, which passed.

As of December 2024, only two dry counties remain in Florida: Liberty and Lafayette, the two smallest and most rural counties in the state, with under 10,000 residents each.

While college football games were once dry, the NCAA and conferences have loosened rules in recent years, allowing universities to sell alcohol. In 2020, the University of Florida announced plans to sell alcohol at limited concessions during baseball, softball, and lacrosse games.

Beer distributors in Florida

Beer is a popular drink of choice for many sports fans, and in recent years, more and more schools have allowed fans to buy beer at college football games. In 2019, a vote allowed each individual school in the SEC college conference to make its own decision on whether to sell alcohol on campus during athletic events. The University of Florida was one of the first schools to announce plans to sell alcohol at limited concessions during baseball, softball, and lacrosse games.

There are several beer distributors in Florida that supply colleges and retailers with a wide range of beverages. Here is a list of some of the major beer distributors in the state:

Champion Brands

Champion Brands is a distributor of beer, spirits, wine, energy drinks, water, and other non-alcoholic drinks. It is a veteran- and family-owned business with roots dating back to 1985 when it started distributing Miller Brewing Company products in Duval County. Today, Champion Brands has a team of 315 employees and represents more than 60 beverage suppliers. With branches in Jacksonville and Savannah, the company partners with over 3,200 retailers across 37 counties in Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

Cone Distributing (Team Cone)

Cone Distributing, also known as Team Cone, began business in 1985 by selling five brands of beer in four rural counties. The company quickly expanded its territory and now has the largest geographic footprint in the state for a Florida beer distributor. Team Cone distributes a broad portfolio of beverages from over 40 suppliers in 22 Florida counties out of state-of-the-art facilities in Ocala and Tallahassee. In 2019, Team Cone was recognized as one of Florida Trend Magazine's Best Companies to Work For in Florida.

Goldring Gulf Distributing, LLC

Goldring Gulf Distributing, LLC is a multi-line beverage distributor formed in 2001 through the merger of Gulf Distributing Company of Florida LLC and N. Goldring. The company covers the Florida Panhandle, including the counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, Washington, Calhoun, Jackson, and Gulf. Goldring Gulf Distributing represents major beverage companies such as Miller Coors Brewing Company, Heineken, Corona, Guinness, Red Bull, 7-UP, and Snapple, among others.

J. J. Taylor Companies, Inc.

J. J. Taylor Companies, Inc. was founded in 1958 in Massachusetts and expanded to Florida through a series of acquisitions. The company now operates in 17 counties throughout Florida, with a 360,000 square foot, state-of-the-art warehouse in Tampa. The facility includes 42,000 square feet of cooler storage for keg and non-pasteurized craft beer. J.J. Taylor also has additional warehouses and offices in Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, and Sebring.

Florida Distributing Company

The Florida Distributing Company, part of the Reyes Beverage Group, operates from two modern facilities in Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida. They sell and distribute a wide range of craft, imported, and domestic beers throughout Central Florida. The company delivers over 18.5 million cases of beverages each year to more than 6,900 retailers across six counties in Central Florida.

Cavalier Distributing Florida

Cavalier Distributing Florida has been delivering a variety of beverages, including beer, since 1992. They represent many of the world's best beverage brands and are considered Florida's leading distributor of waters, juices, sodas, beers, ciders, and meads.

Florida's drinking laws

In the state of Florida, it is illegal to sell, give, serve, or allow the consumption of alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21. This applies to licensed premises, where those under 21 years of age are also prohibited from consuming alcohol. The penalty for violating this law is a second-degree misdemeanour, with a first-degree misdemeanour charge for a second or subsequent violation within a year.

The legal drinking limit in Florida is 0.08 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. This applies to both blood alcohol and breath alcohol levels. If you are found to be driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher, you will be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Florida's DUI laws are strict, with stiff punishments for those convicted.

In 2019, the University of Florida announced plans to sell alcohol at limited concessions during baseball, softball, and lacrosse games. This was a pilot programme, with the potential to expand alcohol sales to football games in the future. The programme included several restrictions, such as limiting sales to beer and wine, requiring ID checks, and limiting the number of drinks sold to two per person.

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in alcohol sales at college football games across the United States, with 88% of FBS schools selling alcohol during the 2023 season. This shift has been driven by the NCAA and conferences loosening rules and allowing universities to make their own decisions about alcohol sales on campus.

Frequently asked questions