Liquor Licence for a Brewery
Welcome to Vincent Bergh Liquor Law & Business Consulting, your trusted partner for obtaining a liquor licence for your brewery in the Western Cape.
If you’re passionate about brewing and planning to start a brewery in the Western Cape, securing a brewery liquor licence is essential. At Vincent Bergh Liquor Law & Business Consulting, we specialize in assisting breweries in obtaining the necessary liquor licence, helping bring your craft beer aspirations to fruition.
Our experienced team is well-versed in the unique challenges and regulations associated with brewery licensing. We understand the intricacies of South Africa’s liquor laws and will provide the necessary guidance to navigate the application process successfully.
When applying for a brewery liquor licence, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of responsible alcohol production and service practices. We will work closely with you to ensure compliance with zoning regulations, licensing requirements, and all other relevant aspects of the application.
With our expertise and attention to detail, you can trust us to handle your brewery liquor licence application with the highest level of dedication and expertise. Explore our full range of liquor licence services, learn about the application process, read our FAQs, or see what our clients say.
What Is a Micro-Manufacture Liquor Licence?
Breweries in the Western Cape typically trade under a micro-manufacture on- and off-consumption licence. This applies to businesses that manufacture their own liquor, for example a brewery with a tasting room that also sells bottles or cans directly to customers. The key restriction is that this licence only permits selling liquor you manufacture yourself; you cannot use it to sell third-party products.
If You Also Want to Supply Other Businesses
If you intend to regularly supply your beer to restaurants, bars, bottle stores or other licensed venues, this requires a Distribution Liquor Licence in addition to your micro-manufacture licence. Selling to the trade without the correct distribution licence carries the same risk as trading without a licence at all, including fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment.
Compliance for Brewery Premises
Applying for a brewery liquor licence requires demonstrating compliance with zoning regulations for your production and tasting room premises, responsible alcohol service and production practices, and accurate floor plans reflecting how liquor is manufactured, stored and served on-site. A new licence typically takes around 5 to 6 months to process from a complete submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell beer from other breweries in my tasting room?
Not under a micro-manufacture licence alone. That licence only covers liquor you manufacture yourself.
Do I need a separate licence to supply bottle stores or restaurants?
Yes. Regularly supplying other licence holders is a distribution activity and requires a Distribution Liquor Licence alongside your micro-manufacture licence.
How long does a brewery licence application take?
A new licence application typically takes around 5 to 6 months from a complete submission, though delays can occur if required reports from SAPS or the municipality are not submitted on time.
With close to 40 years of experience in liquor law in the Western Cape, and a 5-star rating from our clients, you can trust us to get your application right. Prefer to call? Reach us directly on 061 163 7491.