State Licenses and fees

[wantillese]

So ever since I bottled and tasted my first batch I have been daydreaming about opening up my own meadery. Ive been trying to sort though my state's (Florida's) beverage law and found a lot of it to be quite daunting :confused2:. I'm trying to do what research I can so in a few years time, after I have some good reproducible recipes, I will be able to proceed into a business.

I was wondering what are some of the easiest and/or hardest states to get started in.
I know here in FL you are limited to be either a manufacturer, distributer, exporter, or vendor. And as a manufacturer you are only able to sell to distributors and other manufacturers :BangHead:.

and as far as licenses go its around $1500 for licenses and surtaxes on top of business and occupational licenses, as well as surety taxes

I haven't done much research into the federal licensing, even though that would be one of the first things to get, but I also heard they are a tad bit easier to get through than the states.

I'm hoping that with patience these dreams may become reality in my lifetime.

 

[johnnymax]

Federal Licensing is basicly free, but you do have to have a Tax surity bond. Mine costs $100 per year.
I the last few years, Texas has opened up the laws for wineries to make it easier and more affordable.
They did raise the cost of a license with sir charges from $75 to about $350 and you also have to have a tax surity bond.

In Texas as a winery / meadery you can now.
1) Produce wine.
2) Import and bottle wine.
3) deliver wine to any business licensed to sell wine i.e. restaurants, liquor stores, etc. (you need a $98 carry permit).
4) You can sell bottled wine directly to the public.
5) You can sell it by the glass (if 75% of the fermentables are from Texas you can sell it by the glass even in a dry county).
6) You can sell it via the mail i.e. U.P.S.
7) You can let the pubic taste the wine.
8) I believe you can also distill grape wine for fortification.

Because they made it so easy, Texas has climbed to be the number 5 producer of wine and grapes in the U.S.

 

[robodeath]

I'm currently digging in to the GA laws, makes my head hurt. The FED part seems easy compared to the STATE.

 

[florida98cobra]

just wondering

if anyone has found out about how i would find info (in simple terms) about getting licensed in florida to be able to sell my mead. i looked online and got lost in my head trying to find info. it seems like they want me to be serving food and have a resturant to be able to sell it. if anyone knows please help me..

thanks in advance to all.

justin

 

[Yo momma]

Contact your state liquor control department. They have there number, usually, on there web site. You'll talk to a person who knows the ins and outs of whats best for u and how to get the right permits and liscenses.

 

[Medsen Fey]

There are several wineries in Florida; some make grape wines, some make fruit wines. You might contact some of them and speak to the folks running them. Perhaps they can help you get some direction.

 

[capoeirista13]

Where do you find out about all of the local laws, licenses, costs, and regulations concerning becoming a brewery/meadery/winery? And is it typically different for beers/wines? Like would you need one license for beer and another for wine? Is getting a license to sell alcohol inclusive in the license to make alcohol?

 

[akueck]

Each state has some version of a liquor control board, you're best off probably just searching online or even better visiting a local winery or brewery and chatting up the owner. Last I heard, the FDA controlled breweries but the TTB was in charge of wineries on the Federal level. Making beer and making wine require separate licenses (and probably separate legal entities, see Red Branch/Rabbits Foot). Making and selling (both wholesale and retail) also require separate licenses, and depending on the state it might not be legal to obtain both.

So, basically, it's a mess.

 

[capoeirista13]

that is just terrible

 

[dogglebe]

Your best bet would be to go to a winery/brewery in your state and ask who they use as a lawyer. Then visit said lawyer.


Phil

 

[buzzerj]

Check out your state liquor control board or some similar state agency depending on the state. They can tell you what you want to know. Be sure to understand requirements on the city and county levels too.

Buzzer

 

[Kee]

And once your head is spinning really well, try looking into the laws for braggots. Is it a beer? Is it a wine? Why would someone use grain in a wine!? Oh the humanity!!

 

[DaleP]

Try living in Missouri, with the exception of a state wide agricultural disaster, the majority of one's wine making ingrediants must come from within state! Severely limits the varieties of honey one can use!
A quick check shows that 15% of the years fermentables can come from out of state. Wish mead was considered an ale! It would make starting a meadery here more inviting.