Fort Lauderdale CMB Cereal Malt Beverage Manufacturer License (Brewery) – Fort Lauderdale CMB License
Entrepreneurs and craft brewers in Fort Lauderdale who want to manufacture beer—whether at a production brewery, a brewpub-style taproom, or a small-scale brewing operation—need a Florida CMB (Cereal Malt Beverage) manufacturer license issued by the ABT. Fort Lauderdale's growing craft brewery movement—with taprooms emerging in Flagler Village, the RAiR Brewing District, and throughout Broward County—makes the CMB manufacturer license the foundational permit for South Florida entrepreneurs who want to brew beer on-site and serve it to guests at a Fort Lauderdale production brewery or taproom. The CMB license authorizes the brewing of malt beverages for sale, distribution, and in some cases direct on-premises consumption. The annual fee for a standard CMB license is $3,000, and licensees must maintain a tax bond of at least $20,000. A reduced-fee CMBP (Cereal Malt Beverage Producer) license at $500 per year is available for brewers producing no more than 10,000 kegs annually for consumption on the licensed premises or contiguous premises. For brewers wishing to sell directly to the public on-site, vendor licenses must also be obtained and complied with under Florida's three-tier system.
What the CMB License Authorizes in Fort Lauderdale
A CMB license in Fort Lauderdale generally allows you to:
• Manufacture (brew) malt beverages at a licensed production facility in Florida
• Sell beer to licensed Florida distributors for wholesale distribution under the three-tier system
• Operate a taproom or on-site vendor under separate vendor licensing provisions at the brewery location
• Sell beer directly to consumers for on-premises consumption under applicable vendor license provisions
Is a CMB License Right for Your Fort Lauderdale Business?
A CMB license may be the right fit if:
• Your Fort Lauderdale concept is a production brewery, craft brewing operation, or brewpub-style taproom that manufactures beer on-site
• You want to brew your own beer under your own brand for distribution, on-site consumption, or both
• Your business model is centered on craft beer manufacturing rather than retail distribution of third-party products
• You want to participate in Florida's craft brewing industry and serve your locally brewed products directly to guests at a taproom
How Liquor License Agents Helps CMB Applicants and Buyers in Fort Lauderdale
Opening a brewery in Fort Lauderdale involves federal Brewer's Notice approval from the TTB, state CMB licensing from the ABT, vendor licensing for taproom operations, local zoning and building approvals, and compliance with Florida's three-tier distribution system. Liquor License Agents assists by:
• Advising on the licensing structure needed for your specific brewery concept in Fort Lauderdale—whether a production brewery, taproom, or hybrid operation
• Assisting with preparation of the ABT license application (DBPR Form ABT-6001) and all required supporting documentation
• Advising on vendor license requirements for on-site taproom sales under Florida Statutes Section 561.221
• Coordinating with Broward County and Fort Lauderdale local authorities on zoning, building, health, and operational approvals for brewery premises
• Advising on Florida's three-tier system requirements and the limitations on self-distribution by CMB licensees
• Helping you understand the tax bond requirement and ongoing compliance obligations under Florida Beverage Law
Our goal is to keep license work in sync with your lease, build-out, and opening timeline so your alcohol permissions are not the last piece to fall into place.
Fort Lauderdale CMB License FAQs
What is a CMB license and do I need one to open a brewery in Fort Lauderdale?
A CMB (Cereal Malt Beverage) license is the Florida manufacturer's license required to legally brew and sell beer in Fort Lauderdale. It is issued by the ABT and authorizes the brewing of malt beverages for sale. All Florida breweries, regardless of size, must hold a CMB or CMBP license from the ABT in addition to obtaining a federal Brewer's Notice from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) before commencing brewing operations.
What is the difference between a CMB and a CMBP license in Fort Lauderdale?
A standard CMB license costs $3,000 per year and is the appropriate license for production breweries of all sizes that intend to distribute beer through Florida's three-tier system. A CMBP license costs $500 per year and is available to smaller brewers producing no more than 10,000 kegs annually who sell their beer exclusively for consumption on the licensed premises or adjacent contiguous premises. If you plan to distribute through wholesalers, you need the full CMB license.
Can I sell beer directly to customers at my Fort Lauderdale brewery taproom with a CMB license?
Florida has a relatively strict three-tier system, and a CMB manufacturer license alone does not automatically allow direct-to-consumer sales. To sell beer directly to the public at your Fort Lauderdale taproom, you typically need to also obtain a vendor license under Florida Statutes Section 561.221, which allows brewery manufacturers to operate an on-site vendor under specific conditions. We advise clients on the full licensing structure needed for their specific taproom concept.
Do I need to obtain federal approval before applying for a CMB license in Fort Lauderdale?
Yes. Before applying for your Florida CMB license through the ABT, you must obtain an approved Brewer's Notice from the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The Brewer's Notice application requires detailed information about your brewing operations, equipment, and business structure. We advise clients on sequencing the federal and state licensing processes to minimize delays.
What is the tax bond requirement for a CMB license in Fort Lauderdale?
All CMB licensees in Florida must maintain a tax bond of at least $20,000 in addition to paying the annual license fee. The tax bond is required by the ABT as a financial guarantee of compliance with Florida's beverage tax obligations. We advise clients on how to satisfy this requirement as part of the licensing process.
How long does it take to get a CMB license and open a brewery in Fort Lauderdale?
Opening a brewery in Fort Lauderdale involves obtaining a federal Brewer's Notice from the TTB, applying for your CMB license from the ABT, securing local zoning and building approvals from Broward County and Fort Lauderdale, completing brewery construction or build-out, and passing required inspections. The total timeline from initial application to first legal pour varies widely based on your premises and the complexity of your build-out, but planning for six months to over a year is a realistic expectation.
Schedule an Appointment | (800) 799-9081
If you are opening, acquiring, or planning a business in Fort Lauderdale that needs a CMB license, call (800) 799-9081 to schedule an appointment and review your options, local requirements, and next steps with an experienced advisor.