Illinois Alcohol Manufacturer License Lawyer

Chicago Area Attorneys for State and Federal Liquor Producer Licenses

Manufacturing alcoholic beverages can be an exciting and lucrative form of business. However, a company must meet a variety of licensing requirements in order to manufacture beer, wine, or liquor. When applying for a license and/or permit, it is essential to work with an attorney who is experienced in both state and federal liquor licensing laws.

For more than 30 years, the lawyers of Bahr Anderson Law Group, LLC have worked with businesses of all sizes to address liquor licensing issues. We can help apply for and obtain the required state licenses and federal permits, ensuring that your business is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Federal Liquor Manufacturer Permits

Typically, the first step that must be followed in the licensing process is to obtain a federal permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Winemakers and distilleries will need to obtain a Federal Basic Permit, and breweries will need to obtain a Federal Brewer's Notice. Manufacturers must also ensure that products are labeled correctly, and a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) must be obtained for each product that is manufactured. 

Illinois Liquor Manufacturer's Licenses

After receiving a federal permit, a manufacturer must apply for a state license through the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC). The state of Illinois has several classes of liquor manufacturer's licenses based on the type and amount of beverage and the method of manufacture:

• Class 1: Distiller - These license holders may distill, ferment, brew, mix, process, blend, or bottle alcoholic spirits or beverages, and these products may be sold to other distillers, rectifiers, or distributors. 
• Class 2: Rectifier - These licenses apply to those who make, process, mix, blend, or bottle alcoholic beverages which are manufactured by another party.
• Class 3: Brewer - Manufacturers of beer must obtain this type of license, and their products may be sold to distributors.
• Class 4: First-Class Wine Manufacturer - This type of license allows a wine manufacturer to sell and deliver up to 50,000 gallons of wine per year to other manufacturers or distributors.
• Class 5: Second-Class Wine Manufacturer - This type of license allows a wine manufacturer to sell and deliver more than 50,000 gallons of wine per year to other manufacturers or distributors.
• Class 6: First-Class Wine Maker - This type of license allows a manufacturer to make and store up to 50,000 gallons of wine per year and sell it to distributors, retailers, or people outside the state of Illinois.
• Class 7: Second-Class Wine Maker - This type of license allows a manufacturer to make and store between 50,000 and 150,000 gallons of wine per year and sell it to distributors or people outside the state of Illinois.
• Class 8: Limited Wine Manufacturer - These licenses only apply to wine manufacturers who use products grown in the state of Illinois, and they may sell or deliver up to 40,000 gallons of wine per year to distributors or non-licensees.
• Class 9: Class 1 Craft Distiller - This type of license allows a craft manufacturer of alcoholic spirits to manufacture and store up to 50,000 gallons per year. Spirits may be sold to distributors, and a license holder may apply for a self-distribution exemption that allows for up to 5,000 gallons to be sold to retailers each year.
• Class 10: Class 2 Craft Distiller - This allows for the manufacture of up to 100,000 gallons of alcoholic spirits per year. Spirits may be sold to distributors, and up to 5,000 gallons per year may be transferred to a distilling pub owned by the license holder.

In addition to a manufacturer's license, brewers of beer or distillers of spirits may need to obtain one or more of the following licenses:

• Brew Pub License - This allows a brewer to manufacture up to 155,000 gallons or 5,000 barrels per year at a single location. Beer may be sold to distributors or to consumers.
• Distilling Pub License - This allows a distiller to manufacture up to 5,000 gallons of alcoholic spirits per year which may be sold to consumers at the same location for on-premises or off-premises consumption.
• Class 1 Brewer's License - A licensed brewer may manufacture up to 930,000 gallons or 30,000 barrels of beer per year, which can be sold or delivered to distributors. A brewer may also be able to receive a self-distribution exemption allowing for the sale of up to 232,500 gallons or 7,500 barrels of beer to retailers. These license holders cannot hold a Brew Pub License.
• Class 2 Brewer's License - A licensed brewer may manufacture up to 3,720,000 gallons or 120,000 barrels of beer per year, which can be sold or delivered to distributors. These license holders may hold up to three Brew Pub Licenses, but they are not eligible for a self-distribution exemption.
• Brewer Warehouse Permit - This allows a Class 1 Brewer's License holder to store up to 930,000 gallons of beer, and a Class 2 Brewer's License holder may store up to 3,720,000 gallons. Beer must be manufactured on the same premises where it is stored, and it cannot be sold to non-licensees at this location.

A manufacturer that is not located within the state of Illinois may apply for a Non-Resident Dealer's License. This will allow them to ship liquor into the state of Illinois, store it in a warehouse, and sell it to a licensed importing distributor or foreign importer. Every brand of liquor sold to a licensee must be registered with the ILCC.

Contact an Illinois Liquor Licensing Attorney

The liquor licensing laws in Illinois can be very complex, and manufacturers will want to be sure to meet their legal requirements and avoid any penalties that may threaten their business. Bahr Anderson Law Group, LLC can provide you with guidance throughout the licensing process, and we will work with you to help you accomplish your goals and put your business on the path to success. Contact us today by calling 630-462-1113.