Hookemhorns

I love California, probably my favorite state but you can't live there or do business because of all the idiots in the Gov. Let's see, small business being creative using volunteers, let's fine them and shut them down to cover expenses to illegals who are working for cash and not paying taxes.

I don't really see a big deal. They started small and opened a lot of doors for craft, that's Tito's roots. Fifth Generation survived and has become extremely successful. As you grow processes change and you evolve and adapt. You start off doing things yourself, then you hire people and at some point it becomes more cost effective to automate. It's Vodka, personally i don't care if they rerun the product and blend or put their own spin on the product, Fifth Generation is a distillery not a virtual operation. What I do have a problem with is all the private labels that one company produces and 6 others are on the shelf with all kinds of price points claiming to be distilleries and handmade. Texas has a bunch of these so called handmade local products that are produced by a couple of unnamed distilleries in North Texas. Thoughts Anyone?

My thoughts exactly. There's numerous brands doing otherwise that use it in their marketing.

What's the general feeling of private labels being allowed to enter into Spirit competitions? Isn't this a bit like buying artwork and entering the purchased work into an artist competition? Thoughts? Jump right in.

I've ran across several here in Texas that I'm not seeing any reference on the front or back COLA to where the product is actually made. Usually says produced by the brand, their website pages and facebook pages also give the impression that they make the product.

That's where Texas is changing the law regarding exclusivity on private labels. If they're exclusive it violates the chain as the retailer can hold the trademark but not exclusive rights to the brand. A large grocery chain is behind a beer that gives the impression of being craft that is sold as a loss leader. The local craft brewers have pushed for legislation. My bigger concern is the guys that market themselves as craft distilleries that don't actually have a distillery. The labels say they are made by the brand and have no reference to the actual bottler or distiller. The only reference is when the ownership of the cola is reviewed, nothing on the label. I've spoke with the TTB and the TABC who said they have received numerous complaints from distillers.

Is there a state or federal license required for private brands? There is a bunch of new local products in Texas that appear virtual in nature. The owners do not appear to have any type of license. I'm told the distillery owns the brand while a 3rd party owns the trademark and handles sales and marketing. The labels are misleading as there is no reference to the actual bottler or the origin. There is currently legislation in process regarding private labels in Texas that was filed by the craft beer industry.