Bottler
A bottler is the entity that packages an alcoholic beverage into its final consumer container, whose identity must be disclosed on the label and who may be different from the producer or brand owner.
In Plain English
The bottler is whoever puts the product into the bottle, can, or other container that consumers purchase. This is not always the same company that made the product. A distillery might produce whiskey in Kentucky, but a separate bottling facility in another state might do the actual bottling. Large companies often have dedicated bottling plants separate from their production facilities. The bottler's name and location must appear on every label, usually phrased as "Bottled by [Company Name], [City], [State]." If the bottler is different from the producer, both may appear on the label. Contract bottling is common, especially for smaller brands that do not have their own bottling lines.
Technical Detail
Bottler identification is required under 27 CFR 4.35 (wine), 5.36 (spirits), and 7.25 (malt beverages). The mandatory statement must include the bottler's name (or trade name) and the location (city and state) of the bottling operation. If the bottler is the same entity that produced the spirit, the label may say "Distilled and Bottled by" or "Produced and Bottled by." If a different entity bottled the product, it must say "Bottled by" with the bottler's information. Co-packing and contract bottling arrangements create situations where one company's permit and facility appear on another company's branded product, which is a legitimate and common industry practice.
Why It Matters
Bottler information on labels and in COLA filings reveals the production infrastructure behind brands. By tracking which facilities bottle products for multiple brands, analysts can identify contract manufacturing relationships and understand production capacity utilization. For packaging and bottling service providers, COLA data showing different brands bottled at the same facility confirms the presence of a co-packing operation that may need services. BevAlc Intelligence's company pages show the full scope of products associated with each company, including those bottled for other brands.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Must the bottler be identified on the label?
Yes. The name and location of the bottler must appear on every alcohol label. The statement format (Bottled by, Produced and Bottled by, etc.) depends on the bottler's relationship to the production of the beverage.
Can a product be bottled in a different state from where it was produced?
Yes. Products are frequently produced in one location and bottled in another. The label must accurately identify both the production and bottling locations when they differ.
What is contract bottling?
Contract bottling is when one company provides bottling services for another company's products. The bottling facility handles the physical packaging while the brand owner provides the product, labels, and specifications. The contract bottler's information appears on the label as the bottler.