Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know
Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division

Canned Cocktails

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Alcohol
  3. Canned Cocktails

Per Iowa Code 123.126A, class “A” beer permittees and special class “A” beer permittees have the ability to manufacture canned cocktails. A canned cocktail is a mixed drink or cocktail that is premixed and packaged in a metal can and contains more than one-half of one percent of alcohol by volume (>0.5% ABV) but not more than fifteen percent of alcohol by volume (<15% ABV). Manufacturers of canned cocktails must also meet all federal requirements by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (TTB).

In order to obtain alcoholic liquor as an ingredient to manufacture canned cocktails, all class “A” beer permittees and special class “A” beer permittees shall adhere to the process outlined below. All products manufactured by a class “A” beer permittee and a special class “A” beer permittee must meet all formula and label requirements by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (TTB).

Beer manufacturer holding a class “A” beer permit or special class “A” beer permit:

If you are interested in manufacturing canned cocktails, follow these instructions.

  1. Click the link and fill out the form with all applicable information: Beer Manufacturer Information (External link, opens in a new window)

  2. When your information is processed, you will receive an email notification with your customer account number and instructions on how to place a request through ABD for alcoholic liquor as an ingredient for use in manufacturing canned cocktails.

  3. Please contact ABD Accounting with any questions on this process at accounting@iowaabd.com.

To place a request for alcoholic liquor ingredients for use in manufacturing canned cocktails:

Please follow the instructions below to request and obtain ingredients from an alcoholic liquor supplier. The supplier you are requesting product from must have an account in the ABD accounting system.

  1. Use the form provided in the email notification after you have completed the Beer Manufacturer Information (External link, opens in a new window).

  2. When the request is processed, an email notification with an electronic sales order and electronic purchase order will be sent to you and the supplier. After receiving the electronic sales order and electronic purchase order, the supplier can ship the product.

  3. All licensees, permittees, and certificate holders are required to adhere to all applicable record keeping requirements outlined in Iowa Code chapter 123.

Alcoholic Liquor Supplier:

In order to obtain alcoholic liquor as an ingredient to manufacture canned cocktails, all class “A” beer permittees and special class “A” beer permittees must submit a request form to ABD. Once that form is processed, an email notification with an electronic sales order will be sent out to the class “A” beer permittee or special class “A” beer permittee and the supplier they are requesting the alcoholic liquor ingredient from. After receiving the email notification and electronic sales order from ABD, the supplier may ship the alcoholic liquor ingredient to the class “A” beer permittee or special class “A” beer permittee.

Important: All suppliers must be registered with ABD accounting. Any supplier that is not currently in ABD’s accounting system and needs to set up an account, please send an email to products@iowaabd.com.

Additionally, all alcoholic liquor products intended as ingredients for use in manufacturing canned cocktails need to be registered in ABD’s accounting system. To register a product for this purpose, please fill out this form: Canned Cocktail Ingredient Product Information (External link, opens in a new window)

Canned Cocktails FAQ

What is a canned cocktail?

A canned cocktail is a mixed drink or cocktail that is premixed and packaged in a metal can and contains more than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) but not more than 15% ABV (same ABV range as high alcoholic content beer).

What is a mixed drink or cocktail?

A mixed drink or cocktail is an alcoholic beverage, composed in whole or in part of alcoholic liquor, that is combined with other alcoholic beverages or nonalcoholic beverages or ingredients including but not limited to ice, water, soft drinks, or flavorings.

What is not a canned cocktail?

Any alcoholic beverage composed in whole or in part of alcoholic liquor that is between 6.25% ABV and 15% ABV and is not packaged in a metal can. This type of alcoholic beverage would be classified as alcoholic liquor. Any alcoholic beverage composed in whole or in part of alcoholic liquor that is more than 15% ABV, regardless of whether it is packaged in a metal can or not. This type of alcoholic beverage would be classified as alcoholic liquor. Any alcoholic beverage composed in whole or in part of alcoholic liquor that is less than 6.25% ABV, and is not packaged in a metal can. This type of alcoholic beverage would be classified as beer.

What provisions of chapter 123 are applicable to canned cocktails?

All provisions of chapter 123 that are applicable to beer that contains more than one-half percent of alcohol by volume and not more than fifteen percent alcohol by volume are also applicable to canned cocktails.

How are canned cocktails imported into the state of Iowa?

Canned cocktails are imported into the state of Iowa by the holder of a brewer’s certificate of compliance.

How are canned cocktails manufactured in the state of Iowa?

Canned cocktails are manufactured in the state of Iowa by native breweries (holders of a class “A” beer permit) and brewpubs (holders of a special class “A” beer permit).

Where do the alcoholic liquor ingredients come from?

The alcoholic liquor used as an ingredient to manufacture canned cocktails must come from a supplier of alcoholic liquor with one of the following licenses or certificates: class “A” native distilled spirits license (ND), manufacturer’s license (CM), or distiller’s certificate of compliance (CD). Licenses can be searched via ABD eLAPS.

How are canned cocktails distributed in the state of Iowa?

Canned cocktails are distributed in the state of Iowa by beer wholesalers (holders of a class “A” beer permit).

What type of federal permit is needed to import, manufacture, or distribute canned cocktails?

Check with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (TTB) for information on a Distiller’s Basic Permit, Distilled Spirits Plant Registration, and any other applicable requirements.

How are canned cocktails taxed?

Canned cocktails are taxed as beer ($0.19/gallon, collected when sold at wholesale).

What are the recordkeeping requirements for canned cocktails?

Pursuant to Iowa Code section 123.33, licensees and permittees manufacturing and/or distributing canned cocktails will be required to keep records related to the sale of canned cocktails. These records should include the name of the brands and the amount sold. These records are not required to be submitted to ABD, but are required to be available for inspection on the licensed premises during normal business hours.

How are canned cocktails sold at retail in the state of Iowa?

Canned cocktails are sold at retail in the state of Iowa by retailers authorized to sell and/or serve beer (class “B” beer permittees, class “C” beer permittees, holders of a class “A” wine permit and a class “C” native wine permit, and all liquor control licensees except class “C” native distilled spirits and class “E”).

Where can canned cocktails be consumed?

Canned cocktails can be consumed on licensed premises authorizing the on-premises consumption of beer, unlicensed premises, a public place (except a public street or highway), or in a person’s home or other private accommodation