One of the advantages the old Anheuser-Busch had was its string of theme parks, Busch Gardens and Sea World. Usually situated adjacent to a brewery, the theme parks were designed to remind visitors of A-B’s dominant brands. InBev dumped those parks (a mistake, we thought) when it grabbed A-B in 2008.
But it may yet get the opportunity to promote its beers at Busch Gardens Tampa. A bill that would allow advertising by beer companies in Florida’s theme parks is ready for a final vote in the state Senate.
The irony is delicious: A-B used to make money off its theme parks. The financial geniuses at A-B InBev will get the privilege of paying to promote their brands. Unless, of course, MillerCoors or Constellation’s Beer Division outbid them.
The bill also permits wine bottles of all sizes to be sold, including the “Nebuchadnezzar,” which holds 15 liters – the equivalent of 20 standard wine bottles.
The measure also repeals another state law requiring diners to order and consume a full meal “consisting of a salad or vegetable, entrée, beverage and bread” before they can take home an unopened bottle of wine.
Meanwhile, a bill that allows craft breweries producing less than 7,000 kegs a year to distribute kegs – but not bottles or cans – to other craft breweries cleared the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. Beer distributors worry the measure will subvert their distribution model, but the prime sponsor notes that the law only applies to those brewers that don’t have distribution. It’s intended to help “the smallest of the small brewer,” the sponsor says.