Private labels are not a new concept – many consumers have purchased private label products for years, but their use is becoming more prevalent and ubiquitous in the market as demand for private labels continues to rise. Whether you are a retailer launching your own wine label or a brewery producing beer for a supermarket
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The Next Wave of ADA Website Accessibility Lawsuits Against Alcohol Suppliers
The increasing popularity of online shopping has made e-commerce businesses – specifically those in the alcohol beverage industry – a frequent target for costly litigation. In lockstep with the continued prevalence of website accessibility cases, plaintiff firms are sending pre-suit demand letters to alcohol suppliers and, in some cases, filing a state or federal court…
How Alcohol Exporters Can Use FDII and IC-DISC to Maximize Tax Savings
For US alcohol exporters – whether crafting bourbon, brewing craft beer, or bottling fine wines – selling to international markets is a significant opportunity for growth. Two US federal income tax regimes, the foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) deduction and the interest charge-domestic international sales corporation (IC-DISC), offer valuable ways to reduce tax liability and boost…
Navigating the EPR Laws: What Alcohol Beverage Producers Need to Know
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws are relatively new – the first were signed into law in 2021 and 2022 – and are aimed at encouraging producers to package goods in a more environmentally conscientious manner and providing much needed revenue for in-state recyclers overwhelmed by the incoming volumes of recyclable material. In essence, EPR laws…
Key Takeaways | 2024 Recap and What’s on Tap for Alcoholic Beverage Companies
The alcohol beverage industry experienced a transformative year, marked by notable shifts in consumer behavior, innovative product launches, and regulatory changes. During a recent webinar, McDermott’s Alcohol Group provided a retrospective on the pivotal moments of 2024 that impacted the industry, a preview of what’s to come in 2025, and insights into how your company…
An End-of-Year Review of TTB Tax Audits and Enforcement
We have updated and republished this March 2024 blog post for a year-end summary. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s (TTB) Office of Field Operations is responsible for ensuring industry members comply with the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, the Internal Revenue Code, and all related regulations. It is divided into three groups: the…
The Value of Data and Artificial Intelligence in the Alcohol Industry
Members in the ever-evolving alcohol industry are leveraging data and artificial intelligence (AI) to drive innovation, enhance customer experiences, and optimize operations, all in an effort to increase efficiency and profitability in the market. There are several ways AI is being used to transform this industry: Marketing and Insights Data is highly valuable and can…
Navigating the Buzz: How State Agencies Are Addressing Confusion Around Hemp and Low-Dose THC Beverages
Hemp and low-dose delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) beverages continue to flood the marketplace. Depending on the state, these products can be purchased in liquor stores, gas stations, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, and/or online. Despite their rise in popularity and presumed legality under the 2018 Farm Bill, some state agencies have recently made headlines with decisions to ban…
Contract Manufacturing Versus an Alternating Proprietorship: What Is the Difference?
We frequently receive questions about the differences between contract brewing and alternating proprietorships, as well as questions concerning the key details the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and other regulators will be looking for in either approving the proposed structure or, more importantly, during a company audit. Here we discuss the primary…
Seasonal Considerations for Packaging and Selling Alcoholic Beverages
The final quarter of the year is the alcohol industry’s busiest period, accounting for approximately 70% of annual business. Many holiday-themed seasonal products are beginning to make their way to market, and it is important to remember that these products may have additional regulatory considerations and hurdles. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau…