A label that tells your story.
Craft Beer Labels Have Specific Requirements
Beer and malt beverage labels are a fundamental element in packaging your product for consumers. As defined by Federal alcohol labeling requirements, is any product made at a brewery with malted barley and hops. Beer is the primary malt beverage; however, malt beverages do include both alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic products. In order for consumers to understand the ingredients and nutritional values of these beverages, beer and malt beverage labels are required on all consumer products.
ImageTek Labels has designed the guide below, to help you understand what information must be present on your beer & malt beverage label. The guidelines dictating what information must be displayed on malt beverage labels have been established by The U.S. Department of Alcohol and Tobacco, Tax and Trade Bureau, also known as the TTB. The regulations set forth by the TTB, were designed to help consumers make more informed choices when buying beer and malt beverages. ImageTek cannot suggest label printing alternatives, we are simply here to help you meet TTB labeling requirements and assist you with design and/or label printing. For more information about beer and malt beverage labeling please contact your State alcohol beverage authority.
Beer And Malt Beverage Labels Must Meet The Following Criteria
A.) DRAFT/DRAUGHT
The presence of “DRAFT/DRAUGHT” on a label generally means that the product has not been pasteurized and some other method of removing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria has been utilized. However, pasteurized beer may be described as “Draft Brewed” or “Draft Beer Flavor” as long as the beer or malt beverage label discloses that the beer is pasteurized. The term may also be used if the beer is packaged in containers of one gallon or larger and the contents are to be drawn off through a tap, spigot, faucet, or similar device.
B.) BRAND NAME
The brand name is used to identify and market a beer or malt beverage . A brand name may not mislead the consumer about the age, identity, origin, or other characteristics of the malt beverage.
C.) NAME AND ADDRESS
The name and address of the bottler or importer must appear on the brand label. However, the address of the bottler’s principal place of business may be used instead of the actual location where the bottling took place. It is also permissible for a bottler/importer to use a duly authorized trade name in place of its usual operating name.
D.) CLASS DESIGNATION
The brand label of a beer or malt beverage must contain the class designation of the product. Examples of class designations are beer, ale and lager. Ale, stout, and porter are classes that must be fermented at a comparatively high temperature. Products labeled “Wheat Beer” must be made from a fermentable base that consists of at least 25% by weight malted wheat.
When a beer or malt beverage is made with the addition of spices, fruit, honey, or natural flavors, it requires specific labeling to indicate the class of designation. These malt beverages must be labeled with a statement of composition that reflects the base malt product and the added ingredients, unless otherwise known to the trade under a particular designation. Examples of statements of composition that you might see on malt beverage labels include “Premium malt beverage with natural flavors,” “Ale fermented with spices,” or “Belgian-style Wheat Ale brewed with natural flavors.” These products must also bear a distinctive or fanciful name (such as Tammy’s Treat”). A malt beverage must derive at least 51% of its alcohol content from the fermentation of brewing ingredients, with stricter limits for products with an alcohol content of more than 6 percent alcohol by volume.
E.) ALCOHOL CONTENT
An optional statement of alcohol content expressed in percent by volume may appear on the label. Federal regulations require the alcohol content to appear on the labels of flavored malt beverages that derive alcohol from added flavors. However, some State laws have their own requirements with regard to alcohol content statements.
LITE/LIGHT/LOW-CARB
A malt beverage may be labeled with a caloric representation (such as “Light” or “Lite”) as long as a statement of average analysis appears on the label. This statement must include the amount per serving of calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fat. In addition, a malt beverage may be labeled as “Low-Carbohydrate” if the label includes a statement of average analysis and the product contains no more than 7 grams of carbohydrates per 12-ounce serving.
F.) NET CONTENTS
The net content of a malt beverage container must be stated in English units of measure (e.g., pints, fluid ounces).
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Pursuant to regulations issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a Country of Origin statement is required on containers of imported malt beverages. Acceptable statements include “Product of (insert name of country)” or “Produced/Brewed in (insert name of country).”
G.) HEALTH AND WARNING STATEMENT
By law, this statement is required on all alcoholic beverages containing 0.5% or more alcohol by volume.
Resources
Our Services
We have a team of highly skilled individuals who are waiting to help you!
Not sure about the material? Worried about auto-apply compatibility? Need
free samples?
Chat with a Label Guru.
Drop Us a Line.
(866) 403-5223
Request A Quote
"*" indicates required fields
Related Articles
Local Label Solutions – 3 New England Producers
From specialty foods, to craft beer and hemp producers, we’ve teamed up with some of the areas most well-known companies.
New FDA Nutrition Facts Label Rules
FDA Nutrition Facts Label requirements are being updated and require companies to modify their food, beverage.
Variable Designs – Perfect For Seasonal Label Printing
With ImageTek Labels state of the art digital printing technology, variable designs are a breeze. Don’t pay extra for custom plate charges.