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Canned Cocktails

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A canned cocktail is a mixed drink or cocktail that is premixed and packaged in a metal can. It must contain more than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) but less than 15% ABV.

Importers

You must have a Brewers Certificate of Compliance (CB) to import canned cocktails. They are distributed in the state of Iowa by beer wholesalers - holders of a class “A” beer permit (BA).

Beer Manufacturers

To make canned cocktails in Iowa you must:

  • Have an active class "A" (BAN) or special class "A" beer permit (Brewpub).
  • Know that your intended supplier of alcoholic liquor is licensed with the State of Iowa. 
    • The supplier must have an account with us.  You can search for license holders via eLAPS. 
    • If they do not have an account, you cannot purchase liquor from them.
  • Register with us using our Beer Manufacturer Information form.
  • Follow any federal requirements set by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.  

Registering to manufacture canned cocktails

  • Fill out the Beer Manufacturer Information form with all applicable information.
  • Wait for us to process your information.
  • Once processed, you will receive an email notification with your customer account number. You will also receive instructions on next steps.

Please contact accounting@iowaabd.com with any questions on this process.

Obtaining ingredients from an alcoholic liquor supplier.

The alcoholic liquor used as an ingredient must come from a supplier with one of the following licenses or certificates:

  • Class "A" native distilled spirits license (ND)
  • Manufacturer’s license (CM)
  • Distiller’s certificate of compliance (CD).

You can search for license holders via eLAPS. The supplier of alcoholic liquor must have an account with us.

Steps:

  1. Complete the Beer Manufacturer Information form.
  2. Use the form provided in the email sent to you afterwards.
  3. We will process the request and send out an email notification to you and the supplier. This will have an electronic sales order and electronic purchase order.
  4. The supplier can ship the product to your licensed premises after receiving these documents.

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

Alcoholic Liquor Suppliers

Registering alcoholic liquor ingredients

Alcoholic liquor products used for making canned cocktails must be registered with us before you can supply alcoholic liquor ingredients to a class "A" (BAN) or special class "A" beer (Brewpub) permit holder.

To register a product used as a canned cocktail ingredient fill out the Canned Cocktail Ingredient Product Information form.

If you have any questions, please contact products@iowaabd.com. 

Record-keeping requirements

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