North Carolina is among the fastest growing states in craft brew production, doubling the number of craft breweries in the last four years to more than any other state in the South. The state’s fertile Yadkin Valley has launched growth in viticulture, and North Carolina now ranks 10th in the nation in wine production, with the number of wineries increasing five-fold since 2001. Rapid growth and abundant opportunity doesn’t come without challenges for startups or even established brewers, wineries, and distillers.
We can get you past regulatory and operational hurdles so you can focus on producing a unique, high quality product. We assemble the knowledge and experience of lawyers from different practice groups to deliver the right guidance for each client’s legal needs.
We can assist with:
- Developing a corporate entity and establishing business structure, including drafting operating or shareholder agreements and determining funding sources
- Completing proper licensing, permitting, and labeling for applicable federal, state, and municipal agencies such as the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, the US Food & Drug Administration, the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission, North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, NC Department of Agriculture, and local city and county authorities
- Complying with the myriad of alcoholic beverage regulations, including proper management and reporting of product inventory, production, and distribution
- Selecting a commercial location that’s compliant with alcoholic beverage laws and entering a commercial lease
- Protecting your brand and trade secrets including obtaining trademarks and implementing non-compete clauses for employees
- Negotiating purchase, distribution, and other contracts
- Business guidance with mergers and acquisitions, construction, and employment issues
With offices in Charlotte, Raleigh, Rocky Mount, and Southern Pines, Poyner Spruill LLP offers statewide representation to the growing alcoholic beverage industry and brings together the expertise of approximately 100 lawyers to solve business challenges. Poyner Spruill is a proud affiliate of the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild and a fierce advocate for brewers across the state.
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