Why Extend Your Brand Into Beverage Spirits?
Expanding into spirits isn’t just a trend—it’s a strategic move that strengthens your brand and opens the door to new opportunities. Partnering with Lazy Guy Distillery allows you to:
- Deepen customer loyalty by offering a product that becomes part of their lifestyle
- Increase brand visibility with premium placement on retail shelves
- Add a high‑margin revenue stream without the overhead of manufacturing
- Reach new audiences and markets through a category with strong consumer engagement
Alcohol Brokers vs. Private Label Brand Owners
Which Path Fits Your Business?
Lazy Guy Distillery supports both licensed Alcohol Brokers and businesses that want to launch a spirits brand without obtaining alcohol permits. We offer full contract distilling services for Brokers and turnkey private‑label production for brand owners who prefer a simpler, license‑free model.
So what’s the difference?
An Alcohol Broker holds the required Federal and State permits to legally operate as a stand-alone entity in the spirits industry, including:
- A Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) permit issued by the Tax & Trade Bureau
- A Georgia Alcohol Brokers permit issued by the GA Department of Revenue
A Private Label Brand Owner does not need to hold any alcohol‑related licenses. In many cases, they don’t even need a business license registered with the Georgia Secretary of State. Lazy Guy Distillery handles the regulatory side, production, and compliance—allowing the brand owner to focus entirely on marketing, storytelling, and sales.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Does the Brand Owner have 100% control over their intellectual property?
A: Absolutely. If you like, we can even provide a complete NDA to a brand owner for all of their private label projects.
Q: Does the Brand Owner have control over the type of beverage, recipes, how its marketed, how its priced and where its sold?
A: Yes – full control! Brand owners completely own their brand along with any recipes, marketing efforts, label & packaging designs and pricing. If needed, we can help with R&D, recipe development and offer commentary on setting MSRP/FOB – but nobody markets your brand like YOU – so that we leave up to the brand owner.
Q: Can a Private Label beverage be sold to bars, restaurants, liquor stores or online?
A: Yes! However – if the product will be sold & delivered inside the state of Georgia, the brand owner must have a GA-based distribution partner to deliver your beverages. If your product will be sold online (and shipped out of state) a GA-based distributor is not required and we can assist with an introduction to our online beverage partner -or- you can use your own. NOTE: If the online reseller sells your beverage(s) back into the State of GA you will need a GA-based distribution partner.
Q: Who designs the label and packaging for private label beverages?
A: The brand owner is responsible for the label design. We can provide commentary on the legal requirements of your label but the overall design is exclusively up to the brand owner – as is the type of packaging.
Q: If I start out as a brand owner, can I apply for an Alcohol Broker permit/license at any time?
A: Yes! If needed, we can assist with the permit process for Alcohol Broker license at the Federal level and for the State of GA.
Q: As a brand owner, can I transport and deliver my own beverages to retailers (bars, restaurants & liquor stores) in the State of GA?
A: No. It is illegal for a brand owner to deliver their beverages to a retailer in Georgia. A GA-based Distribution partner is required to deliver your beverages to retailers. Brand owners are allowed to carry samples of their beverages as a sales mechanism provided the brand owner has an Alcohol Representative permit issued by the GA Dept. of Revenue. And yes, we can assist a brand owner with obtaining the Alcohol Representative permit.
Who Can Be a Brand Owner?
A brand owner can be an individual, family members, established business, reality TV or podcast series, sports teams, groups of friends that share a vision – the list is endless. If you have an entrepreneurial mindset and want to expand your brand then Private Labeling is a great way to get into the alcohol beverage business – with low costs and limited risk. Get in touch with Lazy Guy to start your journey with a free 1-hour consultation at our distillery in Kennesaw GA.