Alcoholic Beverage Distributors and Wholesalers
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Alcoholic Beverage Distributors and Wholesalers
If you operate a bar, restaurant, or liquor store, then you might need to find a wholesale distributor that can give you access to a wide range of alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic beverage distributors and wholesalers, however, can vary in the types of products that they sell. You should, therefore, consider exploring your options before making a final choice.
Some alcoholic beverage distributors and wholesalers will focus on certain types of drinks. A wholesaler might, for instance, have a wide selection of beers, but it might not carry any hard liquors, such as whisky, bourbon, and vodka. Other companies, however, might concentrate on hard alcohol instead of beers, wines, and other beverages. You can often explore the types of drinks that wholesale companies sell by visiting their websites.
Business.com is a good resource for those who would like to explore more of their options. The links that have been placed on the left side of your screen should direct you to websites that offer more information about the types of alcoholic beverages that you might purchase from wholesale distributors. After visiting several of these websites, you should have the research that you need to make an informed decision that will benefit your business.
Alcoholic Beverage Distributors and Wholesalers
Use alcoholic wholesalers or liquor distributors to get your beverage into large retailersBy Tara McClendon, Freelance Writer/Editor Tara McClendon The government licenses alcohol distributors and allows them to sell alcohol to retailers. Retailers must posses an alcohol license to buy alcoholic beverages. The three-tier system that regulates alcohol wholesalers and liquor distributors actually helps smaller companies to get into the market while allowing the government to regulate the sale and collections of taxes on alcohol. Alcohol wholesalers and liquor distributors work hard to build a variety of alcoholic beverages from different sources of origination. A small mom and pop company from Colorado finds a distributor and sells their product across the state or through several states depending on where the distributor holds licenses.
With the three-tier system, an alcohol producer must sell alcoholic beverages to a liquor distributor who then sells to a retailer. The government defines a producer as anyone who brews beers or malted beverages, makes wine, distills alcohol or imports alcoholic beverages. The government allows wineries and brewpubs to both produce and retail alcoholic beverages. These two producers are the only exemptions from the three-tier system.
Wine and spirits distributors:
- Wholesale alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
- Connect small manufacturing companies with a large market
- Maintain the proper licenses required to operate
Become an alcoholic beverage distributor to wholesale alcohol
As a distributor, you get to find new products, promote products and work with large established companies. The three-tier system ensures your job security. You do need to be prepared for competition from larger companies, but a unique line helps you enter the industry successfully.
Try:
Fill out IRS Form SS-4 to get your Employer Identification Number (EIN) before you apply for permits, licenses or applications. Once you have your EIN, visit the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau's (TTB) website to get the required forms, permits and applications for becoming a distributor.
Locate alcohol distributors actively seeking to sell and buy wholesale liquor
Many distributors join trade associations and post specific requests on the association's website. Reviewing the posts narrows your target search to distributors in need of your product. The posts also indicate producers looking for distributors.
Try:
The International Beverage Network's Call to Tenders provides posts from companies seeking suppliers. World Marketplace offers new products and complete descriptions from companies seeking distributors.
Join a trade association to boost business
Trade associations connect producers, importers, distributors and other professionals in the alcohol industry. With a trade association, you boost business by marketing to the people most interested in your profession. Trade associations keep members up-to-date on changes to the industry, especially legal changes.
Try:
Register your company with the International Beverage Network (IBN), one of the world's largest networks for alcoholic beverages, or join National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA). You can find information on existing members by visiting IBN's World Directory. NBWA's Directory lists associations by state.
- Make sure the alcohol beverage distributors you use offer refrigerator shipping.
- Alcohol regulations vary by state, so contact your state's regulatory board for specifics.
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