Have you ever wondered how whiskey or vodka is made? In the United States, it’s a process that can only happen in a special place called a Distilled Spirits Plant, or DSP for short. Let’s dive into what a DSP is all about! What is DSP? A Distilled Spirits Plant is a licensed establishment where the magic of distilling...
Continue ReadingThe inclusion of caffeine into alcoholic beverages has been an idea played with on and off over the years. A decade ago, caffeinated alcohol made a big splash on in the market. Malt beverage products like Four Loko, Joos, Max, and Moonshot saw rapid growth until 2010. In August 2023, reports began to circulate that Dunkin’ plans to launch...
Continue ReadingIn the world of alcoholic beverages, a fascinating process called “bulk transfer” takes place. This is when one manufacturer, known as the “shipper” or “consignor,” sends a large quantity of wine or distilled spirits to another manufacturer, referred to as the “receiving plant” or “consignee.” This type of transfer, often known as a “transfer in bond” (TIB), is quite...
Continue ReadingWhen you finally receive the necessary licenses to operate your beverage business in Florida from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (ABT), it’s incredibly exciting and relieving. However, it’s important to remember that your relationship with these organizations is ongoing, and there may be circumstances in which...
Continue ReadingThe Craft Beverage Modernization Act (CBMA) is a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 that lowered taxes on all beverage alcohol producers, big and small, foreign and domestic. In 2020, the tax cuts became permanent. Effective as of January 1, 2023, the Treasury Department–particularly, the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)–is in...
Continue ReadingLaws and regulations that govern the production and sale of alcoholic beverage products can seem very strict. This is true for the most part. However, there are circumstances when variances from the rules–either permanent or temporary–are authorized. The key to any variance from federal or state alcoholic beverage regulations is the same: a request for variance must be made...
Continue ReadingThere’s more to life than alcohol–there’s food and non-alcoholic beverages too. Florida breweries, wineries, and distilleries way want to expand their manufacturing to include non-alcoholic beverages. For example, they may want to product bottled or canned water. Non-alcoholic beer, wine and spirits are also becoming increasingly popular. In addition, distributors that mostly deal in alcoholic products may want to...
Continue ReadingThe manufacturing of food products, including alcoholic beverages, is regulated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety and other areas. Before manufacturing or selling alcoholic beverages (or any other food product), unless an exception...
Continue ReadingNearly all actors in the alcoholic beverage industry are subject to federal advertising regulations administered by the Trade Investigations Division of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Separate regulations cover beer (27 CFR Part 7), wine (27 CFR Part 4), and distilled spirits (27 CFR Part 5), and there are a number of TTB administrative rulings...
Continue ReadingUnder the Federal Alcohol Administration Act’s unfair competition and unlawful practices statute (27 US Code Section 205), alcohol suppliers are prohibited from selling alcohol to wholesalers and retailers on consignment. The TTB recently released Industry Circular 2022-1, which discusses the TTB’s position that long payment terms may violate the federal anti-consignment law. Federal Law Prohibits Anti-Competitive Arrangements Under Section...
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