Meaderies

Mead production has increased significantly in the last few years. While it is not unusual for meaderies to make traditional wines and hard ciders in addition to mead, there are many industry members focusing solely on mead. 

Although some state agencies issue mead-specific permits and licenses, the federal government agency that regulates alcohol — the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (“TTB”) — has not created a mead-specific federal permit. The agency has, however, recognized a mead-specific tax class and issued several mead-specific publications or seminars.

In view of the frequent regulatory changes, and the absence of clear rules, determining the right permit for your mead business can prove challenging. The same is true for labeling your products in a legally compliant manner.

Meaderies: Services

Whether you’re starting your first meadery or are an established business seeking guidance, Lindsey Zahn P.C. is ready to provide meaningful, practical advice.  Among many other services, the firm can assist your meadery with the following:

• Determine the most appropriate federal TTB permit(s) for your business
• Draft and file the federal basic permit application with the TTB 
• Update and amend TTB permits
• Draft and file state license applications
• Update and amend state licenses
• Draft and submit formulas to the TTB for mead-products that require formulation
• Review proposed labels for compliance with federal regulations
• Represent your meadery before the TTB during the COLA submission process
• Advise on FDA label regulations for mead under 7% alcohol by volume;
• Provide ongoing legal compliance guidance

Recent Representations

Some recent representations include: 

• Drafted and filed federal TTB permitting and state licensing for new meadery establishment
• Reviewed a proposed label for an imported mead product under 7% alcohol by volume and provided guidance on mandatory labeling statements under FDA’s labeling jurisdiction
• Reviewed proposed mead formulas and drafted formula applications for submission to TTB 

For more information about how Lindsey Zahn P.C. can help your company, please contact us at lindsey@zahnlawpc.com.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.