What type of manufacturer permits are there?
We offer four types of manufacturing permits. They are limited in scope, and you may need more than more to make all the alcohol you’d like. For example, if you want to make beer and cider, you would need both the Manufacturer Permit for Beer and the Manufacturer Permit for Wine, Cider, and Mead.
1. Manufacturer of Beer: Allows you to manufacture, store, and bottle malt-based beverages.
- Wholesale: You may wholesale what you make to retail permit holders, or you may also appoint a wholesaler.
- Tastings: May offer tastings to customers at your brewery.
- On-premise retail sales: You may sell beer you make, or beer made in collaboration with another brewery, to customers to drink at your brewery.
- Off-premise retail sales: You may sell sealed beer you make, or beer made in collaboration with another brewery, to customers to take with them and drink elsewhere. Limited to 9 Liters per customer per day.
- Annual Cost: $1,400
- Quick Reference Guide
2. Manufacturer of Spirits: Allows you to manufacture, store, and bottle all kinds of spirits, such as tequila, rum, vodka, and whiskey.
- Wholesale: You may wholesale what you make to retail permit holders as long as you sell less than 10,000 proof gallons a year. You may also appoint a wholesaler.
- Tastings: May offer tastings to customers at your distillery of products you make either alone or in a cocktail. Limited to 2 oz/patron per day.
- On-premises retail sales: Prohibited. You may not sell spirits you make to customers to drink at your distillery.
- Off-premises retail sales: You may sell sealed spirits you make to customers to take with them and drink elsewhere. Limited to 3 Liters per person per day and 5 gallons per person per month.
- Annual Cost: $1,850
- Quick Reference Guide
3. Manufacturer of Wine, Cider, and Mead: Allows you to manufacture, store, and bottle wine, cider not exceeding 6% abv, mead, eau-de-vie, and apply brandy.
- Wholesale: You may wholesale what you make to retail permit holders if you make 100,000 gallons or less per year, and limited to 15 gallons/container. You may also appoint a wholesaler.
- Tastings: May offer tastings to customers at your brewery.
- On-premises retail sales: You may sell to customers to drink at your premises. Limited to your own products, or other Connecticut-made wine, cider not exceeding 6% abv, mead, apple wine not exceeding 15% abv, apply brandy, eau-de-vie, and brandy manufactured from fruit grown in CT but distilled in another state.
- Off-premises retail sales: You may sell sealed products you make to customers to take with them and drink elsewhere.
- Annual Cost: $200
- Quick Reference Guide
4. Farm Winery Manufacturer: Allows you to manufacture, store, and bottle wine and brandies distilled from grapes or other fruits; includes grappa and eau-de-vie.
- Wholesale: You may wholesale what you make to retail permit holders if you make 100,000 gallons or less per year, and limited to 15 gallons/container. You may also appoint a wholesaler.
- Tastings: May offer tastings to customers at your WINERY.
- On-premises retail sales: You may sell your wine to customers to drink at your premises. Limited to your own products, or other Connecticut-made wine and brandy manufactured from fruit grown in CT but distilled in another state.
- Off-premises retail sales: You may sell sealed wine you make to customers to take with them and drink elsewhere.
- Crops: At least 25% of the fruit used in your manufacturing must be grown on land owned or controlled by the winery.
- Annual Cost: $300
- Quick Reference Guide
Any special application requirements?
You must have federal approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to manufacture before you proceed with any manufacturer application (e.g., Brewer’s Notice or Distilled Spirits Permit.) You also need a Connecticut Department of Revenue Alcohol Distributors License. All permits also require local approval from the town where your premises is located.
What is the application process for a manufacturer permit?
Below is a brief overview the steps in the application process:
1. Begin an on-line application: Visit www.elicense.ct.gov and start an on-line application for a “Manufacturing Permit (LIQ-MANU)." Fill out the application and upload the documents required. (Our application instructions contain more information about what documents are necessary.) You will need to obtain signatures from your local town clerk, zoning officer, fire marshal, and health department as part of your application. You will additionally need: a sketch of your premise that shows the seating, layout, and lockable storage; photos of the completed and fully furnished interior; photos of the trade name sign taken from across the street or highway; and equipment list. The permittee and every member of the backer will also need a personal history form.
2. Submit the application: After completing the on-line application, you will submit it and pay the $100 non-refundable application fee.
3. DCP review and permit fee: Your application will be reviewed by DCP staff for completeness. If there are any issues with your application or the documents submitted, you’ll receive a notice that explains what needs to be fixed. DCP staff will also email you the invoice for your permit fee.
4. Placard period: Once your application is deemed complete, DCP will email you a template for a placard. You must have a placard made that you will post on the curb outside your premises. The placard notifies the public that a liquor permit is pending at your business; members of the public have the right to object to your liquor license.
5. Provisional permit: If you wish to operate with a provisional license, your application will next be submitted for provisional approval by the Liquor Control Commission or their designee. You may use the provisional permit even if your placard period is not yet completed. If approved, you will be sent a provisional license and may now begin manufacturing, selling, and serving alcohol on a provisional basis. If your provisional permit is not approved for any reason, a Liquor Control Agent will be assigned to help you address any concerns. (Note that a provisional permit is optional; you do not need a provisional permit.)
6. Liquor Agent review and inspection: A Liquor Control Agent will be assigned to review your application in depth and check for any issues. The Agent will also schedule a time to meet with the permittee and inspect the premises, and will check that your placard was done correctly.
7. Final approval: Once the Liquor Control Agent determines that your application is complete and your premises is ready for a permit, your application will be submitted to the Liquor Control Commission or their designee for approval. If approved, you will receive your permit and can begin to sell and serve alcohol (or continue to serve alcohol if you had a provisional permit already.) If not approved for any reason, your application will be scheduled for an administrative hearing before the Liquor Control Commission.
How long does the application process take?
It takes DCP about 3 weeks from receipt of a completed application to issue a provisional permit. It takes DCP about 3 months to issue a final permit. Any issues with incomplete applications or not completing the placard correctly results in delays.
What other permits can I have if I manufacture?
1. Other manufacturer permits: You may apply for any other type of manufacturing permit for use at either your main manufacturing premises or a new location.
2. Restaurant Permit: You must have a full kitchen, full menu, 400 square feet of dining and seating for 20 patrons. Allows you to have a full bar. May use at your main manufacturing premises or at an auxiliary location.
3. Connecticut Craft Café Permit: Allows you to sell any class of Connecticut-made alcohol that you do not produce. For example, if you are a brewery, you may sell Connecticut wine and spirits, but not beer. Requires some food availability. May use at your main manufacturing premises or at an auxiliary location.
4. Brand registrations: If you wholesaler yourself or appoint a wholesaler, your products must be brand registered.
5. Farmer’s Market Permit: This permit allows you to conduct retail sales of sealed alcohol you’ve manufactured at farmer’s markets. You must be invited to the farmer’s market and are limited to 10 locations a year.
6. Festival permit: You may attend a festival at the invitation of the organizer and holder of the festival permit. At the festival, you are allowed to conduct free or paid tastings, sell at retail for consumption at the festival, and sell at retail to go.
Does Connecticut allow alternating proprietorships or contract manufacturing?
Yes, both arrangements are allowed. There are many specific rules for each type of arrangement, so please review the pertinent laws and contact Liquor Control with specific questions.
1.Alternating Proprietorships: More than one manufacturer controls the premises and uses it to manufacture, but at different times. Each participant must hold a manufacturing permit with the shared space as the primary address. Applies to the manufacturing of all alcohol classes.
2. Contract Manufacturing: A primary manufacturer makes alcohol on behalf of a contracting party. The primary manufacturer must have a manufacturer permit. The contracting party must hold a shipper, wholesaler, or manufacturer permit themselves. Applies to the manufacturing of all alcohol classes.