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Selling on a small scale

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Altricious

Altricious

NewBee
Registered Member
Jan 4, 2012
249
3
0
Glens Falls, NY
So, as soon as I mentioned to my dad that I was going to start making mead he asked, "Are you going to sell it?" Apparently this is his default response to any hobby I have. I guess he figures why bother doing something if you can't make money at it. I think he totally misunderstands the concept of "hobby".

Anyway, I'm a curious soul, so I poked around and looked at the licensing stuff. I am no where near wanting to actually do this right now, but it's a potential long term goal.

The thing is, I'd never want to spoil the fun by being too big. I'd be more looking at making the hobby legally shareable. Maybe using it as an excuse for a booth at a renn faire or selling a few cases here and there to recoup costs. Does anyone have any experience on this? Is this even practical?

Thanks
 
My dad is the same way, he does NOT understand putting money into a hobby that isn't giving a return.

My two bits, I am currently in talks with a small local winery (a dad, wife and son business) that is looking to expand it's line. They are talking to someone else about trying to distill and do things like rum and brandy, and talking to me about putting out mead under their label.

I don't have to license myself, I am under their label so I don't have to do any copyright issues, and I can use their facility to make it. This, of course, is all if it comes to fruition, but its been a fun ride talking to him so far!
 
Soyala_Amaya said:
My dad is the same way, he does NOT understand putting money into a hobby that isn't giving a return.

My two bits, I am currently in talks with a small local winery (a dad, wife and son business) that is looking to expand it's line. They are talking to someone else about trying to distill and do things like rum and brandy, and talking to me about putting out mead under their label.

I don't have to license myself, I am under their label so I don't have to do any Copyright issues, and I can use their facility to make it. This, of course, is all if it comes to fruition, but its been a fun ride talking to him so far!
Click to expand...

I was thinking along the same lines over here... Basically contract meadmaking under a winery or someone who already has the space, building licenses and codes worked out. Your start-up costs would be nil, and most likely you would work out payment on rent/equipment use/whatever. Even buying your own fermenters and putting them in their place would work too, if they were ok with it.
 
If you do decide to sell at renn faires or anything, you will have to be licensed unless you're ok risking an angry visit from the TTB...or as others have suggested, making some through a contract winery, and releasing it that way. But again, if you want your own label, you'll need to be licensed.

Just selling mead you made as a hobby is definitely, completely illegal.
 
I would have no intention of skirting the licensing issue. I just have no desire to produce on a large scale.

Of course, it would be nice if there was a license level that made sense for a hobby brewer, but I know better than to think one will ever exist.
 
jlerner said:
I wonder if it is feasible for a small group of hobbyists to produce under a common label, and share the licensing cost?
Click to expand...

I wonder if you could make a common label for a large group of hobbyists? The licensing cost would be so minimal, it could become like an Ubuntu for mead.
 
Altricious said:
Wouldn't they have to share a common production facility?
Click to expand...

That's a good question. At this point, the "drain cleaner" I have produced thus far, has not inspired me to investigate licensing requirements. If that is in fact the case, than this idea is better suited to small/local groups who can share a facility. Here in Denver, there are a number of brewshops that rent space by the hour.
 
jlerner said:
Here in Denver, there are a number of brewshops that rent space by the hour.
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From what I can tell, they'd be operating under a different license. There's a license specifically for providing production space for home brewers to use and I believe they are strictly forbidden to help or sell.
 
Altricious said:
Wouldn't they have to share a common production facility?
Click to expand...

Yes. You have to include a drawing of the production facility with all related drains, sinks, etc in the licensing packet. (At least here in the states) And here in the states the licensing has to go through federal, state, and local inspections - across state lines probably wouldn't work.
 
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Guinlilly said:
Yes. You have to include a drawing of the production facility with all related drains, sinks, etc in the licensing packet. (At least here in the states) And here in the states the licensing has to go through federal, state, and local inspections - across state lines probably wouldn't work.
Click to expand...

....








damn.
 
If ur serious about it, then maybe its better to go to another country that has less regulations.

I don't want to flame here, but I have noticed that there are many other counties that are less stringent regarding regulations. Also the tax structure is more amicable, 20 or 25 percent. Other countries have have a so called 'tax holiday", where no tax is paid for a prescribed amount of time. Usually tax holidays go for a minimum of 1 year. This give a new start up company to develop a market and become profitable. After that year it is hoped that the enterprise will take a long term approach to the business atmosphere.

I am thinking about developing, or under developed countries when I write about it here.
 
JohnS said:
If ur serious about it, then maybe its better to go to another country that has less regulations.

I don't want to flame here, but I have noticed that there are many other counties that are less stringent regarding regulations. Also the tax structure is more amicable, 20 or 25 percent. Other countries have have a so called 'tax holiday", where no tax is paid for a prescribed amount of time. Usually tax holidays go for a minimum of 1 year. This give a new start up company to develop a market and become profitable. After that year it is hoped that the enterprise will take a long term approach to the business atmosphere.

I am thinking about developing, or under developed countries when I write about it here.
Click to expand...

Interesting, but I'm not going to emigrate just so I can sell mead. Not unless I get a really interesting marriage offer anyway. ;)
 
If your American or European its never a problem to get married.

However many countries will give out open ended business visas that will allow anybody to come and go as they like, as long as there is a viable business entity located in the country where that business is located.

Its understood that moving to another country is not for everyone, especially if there is family involved. However, my point is that there are other options outside of the united states if anyone is a mazer and/or is determined enough to start a meadery elsewhere.

It sounds like Jlerner (and possibly others) is thinking about doing something like this. Colorado may not be the most friendly state for starting a meadery, but there are other options.
 
Guinlilly said:
Yes. You have to include a drawing of the production facility with all related drains, sinks, etc in the licensing packet. (At least here in the states) And here in the states the licensing has to go through federal, state, and local inspections - across state lines probably wouldn't work.
Click to expand...

It's very similar here in Australia.
 
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