Bottling
Bottling is the final production step where a finished alcoholic beverage is filled into consumer containers, labeled, sealed, and prepared for distribution, with the bottling facility and practices subject to TTB regulatory requirements.
In Plain English
Bottling is the last step before a product heads to market. The liquid is filled into bottles (or cans, boxes, or other approved containers), the label is applied, and the container is sealed. For spirits, bottling also involves adjusting the proof to the target level by adding water — this is called "proofing down." Bottling can happen at the production facility or at a separate licensed bottling facility. The label on the bottle must accurately identify who bottled the product ("Bottled by," "Produced and bottled by," or "Distilled and bottled by"), which tells consumers about the chain of custody. Many brands use contract bottling services rather than owning their own bottling lines, especially smaller producers who cannot justify the capital investment in filling equipment.
Technical Detail
Bottling operations are regulated under 27 CFR Part 19 (spirits), Part 24 (wine), and Part 25 (beer). The bottling record must document the product identification, proof at bottling (spirits must be ≥80 proof unless specifically exempted), fill volume, and number of cases/bottles produced. Fill tolerances are specified by the TTB and vary by container size. Labels must be applied as approved on the COLA, and containers must be sealed with closure devices appropriate for the product type. The "bottled by" statement on the label identifies the permit holder responsible for the bottling operation. "Distilled by" or "Produced by" indicates the product was distilled and bottled by the same entity. "Prepared by" or "Blended by" indicates additional processing. Mobile bottling services are increasingly common for small producers and must operate under appropriate permits.
Why It Matters
Bottling is where many service providers intersect with beverage producers: label printers supply the labels, packaging companies provide bottles and closures, co-packers offer contract bottling, and compliance consultants ensure everything meets TTB requirements. Each COLA approval represents a potential bottling run, making COLA data a leading indicator of demand for bottling-related services. The growth of craft production has driven demand for smaller-scale and mobile bottling solutions.
Related Terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every producer bottle their own products?
No. Many producers use contract bottling services, especially smaller operations that cannot afford dedicated bottling lines. The label must accurately reflect who bottled the product through the appropriate regulatory statement ("Bottled by," "Produced and Bottled by," etc.).
What container types are approved for spirits?
The TTB approves specific container sizes for spirits: 50ml, 100ml, 200ml, 375ml, 750ml, 1L, and 1.75L are the standard metric sizes. Non-standard containers may require distinctive liquor bottle approval. Wine and beer have different container size standards.
What is "bottled in bond"?
Bottled in bond is a special designation under the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 (27 CFR 5.42(b)(3)). Requirements: the spirit must be produced by one distiller at one DSP in one distilling season, aged at least 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV).