What does it really take to succeed in Florida’s craft brewing industry today? Opening a brewery in 2025 is unlike any other time in history. Attorney Trevor Brewer pulls back the curtain on the business challenges facing brewery owners across the Sunshine State in this revealing conversation with Florida Beer News editor Mark DeNote.
Trevor’s journey into beverage law began when he noticed a local brewery’s prolonged “Coming Soon” sign and later learned the owner had sold his prized toy collection to finance his dream. This entrepreneurial spirit captivated Trevor, who has since advised approximately 40% of Florida’s breweries over the past decade through his practice at Brewer Long in Longwood.
The discussion dives deep into market analysis using Trevor’s monthly “Brewer’s Report,” which tracks production numbers and tax data. His findings reveal a sobering reality: Florida brewery sales peaked in March 2022 and have since declined to March 2020 levels despite a growing number of breweries competing for market share. This challenging landscape requires brewery owners to be increasingly adaptive, with many diversifying beyond traditional beer into distilling, wine production, and non-alcoholic offerings.
Perhaps most valuable are Trevor’s insights on what truly differentiates successful breweries. While adequate capitalization remains critical, he emphasizes that strong community connections—both externally with customers and internally among owners, staff, and even landlords—often determine which breweries thrive long-term. The most resilient operations have established themselves as neighborhood fixtures, constantly evolving to meet the needs of their specific communities while maintaining financial discipline.
About BrewerLong
BrewerLong came into existence in 2008 when attorneys Michael Long and Trevor Brewer created an independent, relationship-focused law firm. Michael and Trevor met during their first year at Emory University School of Law, and they maintained their close friendship during the early years of their legal practice.
In forming BrewerLong, Michael and Trevor built on their experiences at respected national and regional law firms to deliver the high-quality legal services and client experiences they envisioned. Nearing a decade of service, BrewerLong has grown into a team of experienced attorneys, paralegals and office professionals who share the goal of providing an exemplary client experience. By growing, we are able to service our clients in new fields and create an exemplary client experience.