Starting a distillery is an exciting milestone, but before you can legally produce, bottle, process, warehouse, or otherwise handle distilled spirits in the United States, you will generally need to obtain a Distilled Spirits Plant (“DSP”) Permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”). The federal permitting process involves much more than
How to Obtain a TTB Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) Permit Read More »
If you’re starting an alcohol business, one of the first questions you may have after applying for a federal permit is surprisingly simple: What does a TTB permit actually look like? Many new wineries, breweries, distilleries, importers, and wholesalers expect to receive an ornate certificate suitable for framing. In reality, a TTB permit is a
As consumer demand for non-alcoholic wine continues to grow, wineries and beverage companies are increasingly expanding their portfolios to include products containing less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). While these products may resemble traditional wine, they are often subject to a very different regulatory framework. Understanding the applicable labeling requirements before printing labels or
Starting a distillery in New York is an exciting opportunity, whether you are launching a craft spirits brand, expanding an existing beverage business, or opening a tasting room. Before producing, blending, bottling, or selling distilled spirits in New York, however, you will generally need to obtain the appropriate licenses and approvals. Navigating the licensing process
Many alcohol beverage companies focus heavily on product development, branding, and marketing. However, one of the most overlooked areas of compliance is alcohol advertising law. Unlike many consumer products, alcoholic beverages are subject to a complex regulatory framework that includes federal agencies, state regulators, and even private litigation risk. Whether you are a winery, brewery,
The recent Chapter 11 filing by Republic National Distributing Company (“RNDC”) has left many wineries, breweries, distilleries, importers, and brand owners asking an important question: What happens if my alcohol distributor files for bankruptcy? While a distributor bankruptcy can create uncertainty, it does not necessarily mean your products will stop moving overnight or that your
What Should Suppliers Do If Their Alcohol Distributor Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Read More »
Consumers are increasingly seeking products that align with their values, whether that means fewer ingredients, environmentally responsible practices, or a perceived health benefit. As a result, terms such as “clean,” “natural,” “sustainable,” “eco-friendly,” and “green” have become common marketing tools across the food and beverage industry—including the alcohol sector. While these claims can be effective
What Alcohol Brands Need to Know About “Clean,” “Natural,” and Sustainability Claims Read More »
For many alcohol beverage companies, social media has become one of the most important marketing tools for building brand recognition, engaging consumers, and promoting products. As businesses grow, it is increasingly common to outsource social media management to a marketing agency, freelance consultant, or in-house employee. However, one issue that companies frequently overlook is that
Is Your Alcohol Beverage Company’s Social Media Compliant? Read More »
Entrepreneurs entering New York’s craft beer industry are often surprised to learn that New York State offers multiple brewery license types — each with different privileges, operational limitations, and compliance obligations. One of the most common questions we receive from brewery clients is whether they should apply for a Farm Brewery license or a Microbrewery
NYSLA Farm Brewery vs. Microbrewery License: Understanding the Differences Read More »
One of the more common — and avoidable — issues we see during the TTB Certificate of Label Approval (“COLA”) process involves labels containing foreign language text without an accompanying English translation. Although this issue may seem minor, it can result in a COLA application being placed in “Needs Correction” status, delaying approval timelines and
Common TTB COLA Application Errors: Foreign Text and Required Translations Read More »