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Distilleries

Starting a distillery aka a “distilled spirits plant” requires significant advance planning, strategy and knowledge of federal and state regulations.

We tell our clients to start the process at least eight months to one year ahead of planned opening. A major challenge facing craft distilleries is that it is never legal to distill spirits (“home distilling”) without a federal DSP permit. While home wine making or home brewing is generally legal for personal or family use, Federal law strictly prohibits individuals and distilleries in planning from producing distilled spirits at home or at any place other than a TTB-qualified distilled spirits plant. Unlike home brewing or home wine making, those seeking to test distilled spirits recipes and/or techniques are unable to do so easily.

A distillery or distilled spirits plant (DSP) may produce, bottle, rectify, process or store beverage spirits. Examples of beverage distilled spirits include neutral spirits or alcohol (i.e. vodka or grain spirits), whiskey, gin, brandy, blended applejack, rum, Tequila, cordials and liqueurs.

In Colorado, distillers can obtain a Colorado Distillery Pub License – which operates similarly to a Colorado Brew Pub License. Like the Colorado Brew Pub license, the Colorado Distillery Pub license is a retail level liquor license and will go through the same process as a Colorado brew pub license and a obtain both a state and local license (and Federal) after demonstrating that the distillery pub meets the reasonable requirements and the desires of the adult inhabitants of the neighborhood in which it will be situated.  Click here for more information on a Colorado Distillery Pub Licence.

Distillery Lawyers at LaszloLaw

Our Colorado Liquor lawyers are ready to assist in obtaining a TTB Federal DSP Permit, Colorado manufacture’s license and Colorado wholesaler’s license .  Whether you need to transfer, modify, or obtain a new liquor license, our beverage attorneys will start by addressing your needs and continue to provide guidance along the way.  Your goals and bottom line are our priorityContact the Colorado beverage lawyers at LaszloLaw today to discuss your Colorado liquor license needs.

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