Licensing, Registration, & Protection
Federal & State Alcohol Beverage Licensing
The alcoholic beverage industry and its related licensure are two of the most heavily regulated industries in our country, and the state of South Carolina is no different. The distribution of craft beer and all alcoholic beverages in South Carolina is conducted through a three-tiered system: (1) manufacturing, or supplier & importer; (2) wholesaling; and (3) retailing. At the first two tiers, manufacturing and wholesaling, licenses are required on both the federal and state levels. With respect to the third tier, there are no federal permits required, but there is a need for a state license. Unavoidably, obtaining and maintaining the proper federal and state licensing is often very time and capital-intensive. Let us cut through the Red Tape of Alcohol Licensure for you!
Recently, there have been many changes in South Carolina’s regulation of breweries, wineries, and distilleries. You have probably asked yourself…
- How do these new laws affect my business?
- Which options should I choose?
- Which option is most advantageous to my business plan and product?
Trying to answer these questions without proper counsel versed in this area of law can often result in a grey area. In addition, if you speak with officials at the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) or the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) you may get conflicting answers due to the uncertainty that typically follows the passage of new laws, in addition to the slow coordination and communication that occurs between governmental agencies.
South Carolina Attorneys At Law can help you properly navigate what is often a confusing and very time and capital-intensive period for your company. The firm’s principal, founder, and supervising attorney, Brad Thomas has navigated these hazy waters as a co-founder and the in-house counsel of South Carolina’s first farmhouse brewery and winery. Mr. Thomas has the legal expertise necessary to help guide you through both federal and state alcohol laws. In addition, as a co-founder of a brewery and winery, Mr. Thomas isn’t just a knowledgeable attorney; he is a former owner with hands-on experience with every facet of opening and operating a brewery and winery in South Carolina including site selection, lease negotiation, federal and state licensing, municipal permitting, construction requirements, and negotiating and drafting distribution contracts. He is also the published author of Liquor, Beer, and Wine in South Carolina – A Guide for Entrepreneurs which you can purchase HERE. Let Mr. Thomas and our South Carolina Alcohol Law Attorneys help you!
Trademark Registration & Protection
A strong trademark is critical to protect your brand in today’s competitive craft beer and alcoholic beverage industry. Our team provides a comprehensive search of brand names in commerce to help avoid trademark issues and determine if a brand name is available for use and registration. We assist with securing trademark protection through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for your company and product offerings.
Label Approval & Brand Registrations
Before a South Carolina manufacturer can bottle craft beer or other alcoholic beverages, federal label approval is required. This includes mandatory language and, in some cases, formula approval. Our team is well-equipped to expedite the filing of your certificates of label approval (COLA) to fast-track your products’ availability in the marketplace.
List Of Breweries, Brewpubs, & Contract Breweries Operating In South Carolina
To keep you up-to-date on the fast-growing craft beer market, we periodically update our listing of breweries, brewpubs, and contract breweries operating in South Carolina. For legal assistance in starting your own brewery, brewpub, or contract brewery in South Carolina, feel free to contact our Alcohol Law practice group at alcohollaw@scattorneysatlaw.com. Cheers!
