Toggle sidebar

Selling your mead

  • PATRONS: Did you know we've a chat function for you now? Look to the bottom of the screen, you can chat, set up rooms, talk to each other individually or in groups! Click 'Chat' at the right side of the chat window to open the chat up.
  • Love Gotmead and want to see it grow? Then consider supporting the site and becoming a Patron! If you're logged in, click on your username to the right of the menu to see how as little as $30/year can get you access to the patron areas and the patron Facebook group and to support Gotmead!
  • We now have a Patron-exclusive Facebook group! Patrons my join at The Gotmead Patron Group. You MUST answer the questions, providing your Patron membership, when you request to join so I can verify your Patron membership. If the questions aren't answered, the request will be turned down.
Barrel Char Wood Products
M

meadsome

NewBee
Registered Member
Sep 17, 2009
24
0
0
just wondering if selling mead is like selling beer are you guy/girls hindered by the three tiered system like beer is? what are some laws about selling your mead can you sell directly to consumers or on a webpage. now i'm sure it varies state to state but i'm just curious what some problems / differences there are to beer and how to get around them. do you have to sell via a distributor?

thanks
 
The short answer is that you can't legally sell your product. Period. End of story.

The long answer is a lot more complicated (and this will likely be an incomplete answer as I don't run a commercial meadery). It depends on your state, but you would need a federal license and a state license to sell anything at all. Costs vary; I think the fed license is around $100, while state license is often significantly more. There are separate licenses for wine and beer, and different categories of licenses that let you and require you to do different things. New York is one of a small number of states that has a "microwinery" license that lets small operators do most everything, but has a sharp limit on the maximum number of gallons that can be produced.

There's also a whole lot of other administravia related to registering labels and recipes and prices, and what has been taxed and can be sold, and where ingredients can come from (the NYS microwinery license requires that agricultural ingredients come from New York State).

The legal nonsense is a gigantic pain, and as far as I can tell there's not a particularly good reason for it.
 
Meaderies are wineries according to the law. Check out the federal TTB website and google your state liquor control board and you can find out what regulations you have to follow. It does vary a lot by state, so there is no simple answer.
 
I host tasting parties with a donation kitty on the bar. The donations keep my projects going, and I get to share my meads with my guests. It's invitation only, like a private club. This is the only way I know of "around" the system, though I don't make any money at it. It's just a break-even way to keep my hobby going.
 
ok basically thats what i was looking for its just like beer in that you cannot sell directly to consumers. I'm not thinking of home mead making i'm more curious in the commercial aspect. Is it like beer in that a brewpub, brewery, ale house all have different laws like some can sell glasses at their pub/resturant some can never sell directly only sell through distributor?

I will have to read this 80 pg state wine laws what is the difference between a farm winery, vitner.

Also what is the difference between a wine dealer, wine wholesaler and a wine distributor?
 
meadsome said:
Is it like beer in that a brewpub, brewery, ale house all have different laws like some can sell glasses at their pub/resturant some can never sell directly only sell through distributor?

I will have to read this 80 pg state wine laws what is the difference between a farm winery, vitner.

Also what is the difference between a wine dealer, wine wholesaler and a wine distributor?
Click to expand...

Again, it really depends on where you are. Some states allow direct distribution, some don't. Some you can sell to consumers if they drink on-premise, some don't. We can't really give you a general answer, you'll have to slog through the paperwork. Sorry. :(

But, if you do find a coherent answer and want to help out the rest of us that live in your state, post up what you find here!
 
akueck said:
Again, it really depends on where you are. Some states allow direct distribution, some don't. Some you can sell to consumers if they drink on-premise, some don't. We can't really give you a general answer, you'll have to slog through the paperwork. Sorry. :(

But, if you do find a coherent answer and want to help out the rest of us that live in your state, post up what you find here!
Click to expand...

Not only does it depend on state, it can depend on license. Some will let you sell directly, some only in certain situations, and some not at all.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Barrel Char Wood Products

Viking Brew Vessels - Authentic Drinking Horns

Top Bottom