As 2022 draws to a close, it’s time to look back and reflect on the year that was. For beverage alcohol regulation, 2022 saw an interesting mix of big changes on one hand and stagnation on the other. On the direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping front, there was little overall change, at least compared to the admittedly […]
Historically, the three-tier and direct-to-consumer (DtC) channels for beverage alcohol have operated independently, sometimes even viewing the other as competition. But in reality, there are many opportunities for a symbiotic relationship between these business units. For beverage alcohol producers that depend on both, a collaborative approach is imperative. DtC and three-tier—what’s the difference? First, some […]
By Robert M. Tobiassen, President of the National Association of Beverage Importers, Inc. (NABI) QR codes are not new to beverage alcohol labeling, but they’re seeing a rise in popularity as consumers become savvier to the technology. Once bars are restaurants reopened in the summer of 2022, QR codes became the virtual menu tool of […]
Everywhere you look these days, it feels like there’s a new ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail on the market. These products have taken the beverage alcohol market by storm over the last few years, with seemingly everyone and their brewer now making their own margarita in a can. Consumers are clearly happy about this—RTD cocktails are now […]
While beer brand labels are a great way to set your product apart with clever marketing and design, there are rules brewers must follow while designing them. Beer labels, whether on a bottle, can or keg, have lots of information that is highly regulated, both at the federal level and by individual states. We’ve compiled […]
Wine has strong quarter, with 28% increase from Q2 and 8% year-over-year increase in registrations The temperatures may be starting to dip with the outset of autumn, but beverage alcohol new product registrations are seeing increases across spirits, wine and beer. Similar to this time last year, wine new product registrations had a strong showing. […]
The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC) recently adopted new regulations governing the use of fulfillment houses by licensed direct-to-consumer (DtC) shippers of wine. Fulfillment houses have become a central, and invaluable, part of the DtC wine shipping market by offering wineries with critical storage and logistical services. They provide climate-controlled warehouses to […]
By Brandon Harvie, Product Marketing Coordinator at WineDirect Just as the direct-to-consumer(DtC) wine industry is constantly evolving, so should the marketing strategies for your winery. Whether you are a small, family-owned winery or a massive multiple-brand enterprise, every winery needs to review how they are highlighting their business. Marketing can be an exciting part of […]
One of the most important assets that a successful beverage alcohol producer has is their brand. A clear, readily identifiable brand is critical for bringing consumers in and making sure they will become repeat purchasers. But as the number of producers has exploded over the last few decades, the likelihood of consumer confusion around a […]
All alcohol is divided into three parts—beer, wine and spirits. At least, those are the primary product types of beverage alcohol recognized by popular perception and defined by state and federal statutes. Determining what is in a bottle (or can or keg or firkin) is vital for anyone who manufactures, distributes or sells the product, […]
Managing beverage alcohol compliance and tax in a rapidly evolving regulatory environment takes expertise and a relentless attention to detail. Odds are, you didn’t get into the industry to spend countless hours each week pouring over mandate changes, tax laws and regulatory updates. Partnering with a compliance software company is an easy way to mitigate […]
In another blow to proponents of expanded direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of wine, a court in the Southern District of Ohio earlier this week ruled in favor of the state, rejecting plaintiff’s claims that Ohio’s DtC shipping laws for retailers were discriminatory and harmful to consumers. What happened in this case? The case, Block v. Capera […]
Among the numerous rules and regulations that suppliers of beverage alcohol have to deal with, those governing the advertising and marketing of their products may not always be top of mind. However, both federal and various state regulators have signaled their intent to ramp up policing of this area of alcohol regulation, particularly when it […]
Direct-to-consumer (DtC) alcohol shipping can at times seem convoluted and increasingly complicated. States continue to evolve their DtC shipping requirements, which can understandably create some confusion over what is and is not allowed. However, working with the right partner can help to clear up some of that confusion. Here are some of the top misconceptions […]
The summer months can be ideal for enjoying a hard cider, but it’s always a good time for cider producers to brush up on three-tier compliance rules. Before expanding into new markets, you must be familiar with the specific rules of each state. In this blog, we will cover the major regulatory and tax rules […]
A lot has changed in the direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shipping channel since the January release of our Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report—changes in volume and value that have the market resembling pre-pandemic patterns. Note: The proprietary data featured in this mid-year report is compiled from an algorithm measuring total DtC shipments based on millions of anonymous […]
The legal landscape for direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping of alcohol is a hodgepodge of rules and regulations that vary from state to state. This follows the broad principle set out in the 21st Amendment that each state shall govern the “transportation or importation . . . therein of intoxicating liquors.” As such, New Hampshire can permit the […]
The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission in Massachusetts recently announced that they will be conducting Minimum Purchase Age Compliance Checks in retail stores and aimed at direct-to-consumer (DtC) wine shippers through December 31, 2022. With this information in mind, now is a great time to refresh your age verification knowledge and company policy. What are age […]