help with ttb form

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roguebrun5505

NewBee
Registered Member
May 25, 2010
4
0
0
has anyone filled the FORMULA AND PROCESS FOR DOMESTIC
AND IMPORTED ALCOHOL BEVERAGES form out as I would like to see an example so I don't make any mistakes the first time around
 
roguebrun5505, I moved your question here from the Newbees forum because you are looking for help from folks who have moved into (or who are planning to go) commercial meadmaking. I think you'll have better chances for a successful reply in this commercial forum.
 
has anyone filled the FORMULA AND PROCESS FOR DOMESTIC
AND IMPORTED ALCOHOL BEVERAGES form out as I would like to see an example so I don't make any mistakes the first time around

Making mistakes is the best way to learn. The TTB is very inconsistent on the subject of formulas. One tip include original gravity and final gravity in Brix. They don't ask for it, but it's the most common thing I forget to do. Also, unless the mead is a traditional style, don't classify it as mead. They consider anything non-traditional an Other Than Standard. You will not be able to put the word Mead on the name, description, or label. Don't worry, I'm working on getting them to change this stance.

Good luck.
 
so you have to put down all your ingredients and in what quanity ? thats trade secrets and you are to have faith in the government that it dosent get out ? sounds like a raw deal.
 
That doesn't sound like a raw deal, sounds like common sense really. Honestly I'm surprised alcohol doesn't have to fully list the ingredients on the label. Food you have to, non-alc drinks you have to, why not booze too?

As to amounts (ei: exact recipes) I think you'd be ok. I doubt the government is going to call up another producer and sell them the recipe.;)
 
Process is much more important that ingredients in determining the flavor of mead. Just knowing the list of ingredients is not very helpful. For Coca-Cola this might not be true since the process is "stir", but for something like mead, a casserole, etc then it's the stuff you don't list on the label that really matters. Some meaderies and breweries list ingredients on their labels, but I've never heard someone say "well now I don't have to buy mead/beer".
 
I recently heard of a meadery that had their formula returned to the wrong winery. I'm pretty sure the winery didn't start jumping up and down for joy now that they had the "secret" recipe for mead.

I agree, that it's the process, not the ingredients that matter.

I've regularly shared our recipes and process with others. Our Bourbon Barrel Mead recipe and process are even published in Zymurgy magazine.