Business & Legal Consulting for the Alcohol Beverage Industry

Alcohol beverage distribution in the U.S. presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities arising from a patchwork of different state laws and longstanding business practices within a primarily three-tier framework. We understand this business and legal environment and can advise on distribution strategies to maximize your success.

Alcohol beverage labels are subject to an often-confusing set of imperfectly overlapping federal laws (e.g., the Federal Alcohol Administration Act; the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act). For most products, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau pre-approval is required before a label can move in interstate commerce, and that pre-approval process often requires an understanding of un-published policies and practices. We have decades of experience advising producers and importers on how to meet marketing objectives while meeting regulatory requirements and minimizing litigation risk.

The ingredients and processes used to produce an alcohol beverage are subject to a variety of federal laws and policies, and product formulation can have a tremendous impact on a product’s classification, labeling, and excise taxation, to name a few. We possess experience with beer, wine, and distilled spirit formulations and have worked with liquid innovation professionals to craft products that meet business objectives within the U.S. legal and regulatory framework.