MANUFACTURER — Manufacturer / Distributor License
Summary
The manufacturer and distributor category (DBPR profession code 4005) covers Florida-licensed breweries, wineries, craft distilleries, importers, exporters, and wholesale distributors of alcoholic beverages. These licenses allow production, blending, bottling, and/or wholesale distribution of beer, wine, or spirits — activities that require a separate license tier from the retail or on-premises consumption licenses.
Who files it
Craft brewery and taproom operators, boutique winery owners, craft distillery founders, wholesale beer and wine distributors, and importers/exporters of spirits. Many filers are small independent producers entering the Florida market.
What it signals
A new manufacturer license marks a new producer entering the state supply chain — an early signal for hop suppliers, barrel vendors, label printers, compliance consultants, packaging companies, and specialty insurers covering production operations. For distributors, it surfaces potential new brands to carry. The TTB federal license (required before DBPR will issue) often predates the DBPR filing, creating a two-stage early-warning window.
Examples
- A craft brewery in St. Pete filing for a manufacturer license to distribute kegs wholesale
- A boutique distillery in Gainesville obtaining a license to produce and sell spirits on site
- A wine importer obtaining a Florida wholesale distribution license
Related license types
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