Applying for a Beer and Wine Liquor License? Follow These 5 Steps

While American alcohol consumption trends have shifted significantly in the past few years, one thing is for sure: Beer and wine aren’t going anywhere.

In fact, beer remains the third most-consumed beverage on earth, followed only by water and tea. Wine is less popular, but those who drink it often opt for the “good stuff,” paying extra for curated bottles.

In short, there’s never been a better time to open a beer and wine shop. In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know to secure a beer and wine liquor license — plus share tips for beer and wine retail success along the way.

Cheers!

Beer and Wine Liquor License Requirements: A State-by-State Guide

Hoping to secure a license to sell beer and wine? There’s good news: A beer and wine-only license is easier to secure in almost every state than a traditional liquor retail license. You likely won’t have to worry about license quotas or auctions, which can make the licensing process slow and expensive.

However, you still need to understand your state’s unique beer and wine licensing process and requirements. Navigate to your state’s licensing hub using the chart below.

Beer and wine liquor licensing differs from state to state, but there are some key similarities in the steps you follow to obtain your license. Let’s look at a general overview with some tips and tricks for a smoother licensing process.

Related Read: What Are Alcohol Control States? 6 Things You Need To Know

1. Determine Your License Type

First, you need to know what type of license you’re actually applying for.

Most states offer multiple license types depending on what kinds of alcohol you plan to sell and where customers will consume their purchases. For example, in most states, beer and wine stores have a different type of license than restaurants and bars.

Here are some of the most common types of beer, wine, and liquor licenses:

• Retail liquor license: Permits the sale of all alcoholic beverages for consumption off-premises. This includes spirits, beer, wine, and sometimes even high-proof alcohol.
• On-premises liquor license: Allows the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises of bars, restaurants, or other entertainment venues.
• Beer and wine license: Permits the sale of beer and wine, but not hard liquor or spirits. Depending on state regulations, it may include on-site and off-site consumption.
• Brewpub license: Enables a brewery to sell its beer on-site directly to consumers and often allows for limited food service.
• Distillery license: Authorizes distilled spirits or hard liquor production, storage, and sale.
• Winery license: Permits wineries to produce, store, and sell wine on-site. It may also allow for wine tastings and direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales.
• Special event permit: Temporary permit for serving alcohol at specific events, such as festivals, weddings, or fundraisers.

Most craft beer stores and wine shops need only a beer and wine license, but you may explore special event permits if you choose to have periodic tastings or other events at your store where customers consume alcohol on-site.

2. Calculate Your Licensing Costs

A rock-solid financial plan is essential if you want to open a profitable beer or wine store — which means you need to account for licensing fees.

Once again, these fees vary significantly from state to state. For example, Florida’s beer and wine retail license fees range based on county, ranging from $84 per year in low-population areas to $196 per year in denser counties. Georgia charges a nonrefundable $100 investigation fee alongside their $200 annual liquor license fee. Texas has some of the highest liquor licensing fees, charging $1,900 biennially for a wine and malt beverage retail license.

You might also need to apply for local retail licenses or pay for legal help depending on how complicated your state’s laws are. In all, we recommend setting aside between $1,000 and $4,000 for licensing costs during your store’s first year of operation.

3. Gather Essential Paperwork

Want an on-time grand opening for your beer and wine store? Missing paperwork is the number-one cause of delays.

That’s why we recommend gathering all of your documents well in advance of starting your application. Each state requires different paperwork, but let’s take a look at some of the most commonly requested documents:

Business and ownership documents:

• Proof of business entity formation (LLC operating agreement, articles of incorporation, or partnership agreement)
• Federal employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS
• Business name registration / DBA ("doing business as") certificate
• List of all owners, partners, officers, and anyone with a financial interest in the business (typically anyone holding 10% or more)

Personal background and identity documents:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport) for all owners
• Fingerprints for all owners
• Background check authorization and fees

Premises and zoning documents:

• Proof of legal right to occupy the premises (lease, purchase agreement, or deed)
• Diagram or floor plan of the licensed premises showing all entrances, exits, restrooms, storage areas, and where alcohol will be sold or stored
• Certificate of occupancy or building permit from your local municipality
• Zoning approval or verification that your location is zoned for alcohol sales

Financial and tax documents:

• Personal financial statements for all owners
• Proof of funding or capitalization (bank statements, investor agreements, or loan documents showing you have the funds to open and operate)
• State sales tax permit or seller's permit registration

Safety training and compliance documents:

• Responsible Beverage Service (RBS) training certification for yourself and any managers (required in California, Oregon, Texas, New York, and others)
• Completed Notice of Intention to Apply, if your state requires public posting before approval
• Proof of liquor liability insurance (required in many states; also commonly required by landlords)

Making a checklist that aligns with your state’s requirements should be one of the first things on your to-do list as you craft your beer or wine store business plan.

4. Submit Your Application

Once you’ve gathered all your paperwork, you’re ready to submit your actual beer and wine liquor license application.

Here’s what the process usually looks like:

• Complete your application. Submit your completed application packet to your state ABC board, along with all required supporting documents and fees. Most states require fees to be paid at this stage. This takes place online in almost every state.

• Notify the governing body of your application. If required, formally notify local government authorities like the city council or county board that you’ve applied for a liquor license.

• Comply with the regulatory body's investigation. Cooperate with any further investigations. For example, you might be subject to a site inspection or background checks.

• Notify the public. If required, post a public notice on your premises or publish an announcement in a local newspaper to give neighbors, community members, or other businesses the chance to file objections to your liquor license application.

• Receive your license. Proceed with your grand opening and start selling wine and beer. If your application is denied, don’t panic — look into your state’s appeal process.

One word of warning: The process might take longer than you expect. Allow for at least 60 to 120 days between filing your application and receiving your official license.

5. Renew Your License and Stay Compliant

Congratulations! You’ve received your beer and wine liquor license — now all that’s left to do is keep it in good standing.

First, make sure you understand all federal, state, and local laws governing the sale of beer and wine, and make a plan to comply. Selling alcohol to customers under 21 is illegal nationwide, so invest in an ID scanner. Most states require you to maintain careful receiving and sales records, so choose a point of sale (POS) system with built-in alcohol inventory management.

Next, make a plan for renewing your license. Most states require renewal every year or every other year. Renewal applications often require updated information, including changes in ownership, location, or other pertinent details.

Related Read: Choosing an ID Scanner for Liquor Stores: 6 Best Options

Launch, Manage, and Grow Your Store With Bottle POS

Ready to secure your beer and wine liquor license and launch your business? We’re here to help.

Bottle POS is an all-in-one POS solution specifically designed for beer, wine, and liquor retailers. Our software includes everything you need to stay compliant, manage inventory, and become profitable — including scanner-powered age verification, AI-driven inventory tools, DoorDash integration, and more.

Schedule your live, personalized demo to see how Bottle POS can help you launch a successful beer and wine store.