Distilling a million label approvals down to the ones that affect you.
As to risqué alcohol beverage labels, there is no end in sight. On the left is Rumpmeister Liqueur, made by Colorado Pure Distilling, in Lakewood, Colorado. On the right is Snowbunny Ale, made by Hub City Brewing Company, in Stanley, Iowa. If TTB will approve a shorter dress, we’ll . . . be surprised.
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These brand names don’t exactly roll off your tongue. That won’t stop Anheuser-Busch from bringing them to a TV near you. Keep your eyes peeled for these malt beverage products on TV and in the movies. A few days ago, The Beersage raised good questions about these labels. At first it was not at all clear, but after some looking around, a good reason comes into focus. This year’s approval for Bemdesor does not shed much light, nor does this year’s approval for Bod Liqbt. Go back a few more years, however, and it becomes clear. This 2006 approval for the mellifluous Bemdesor Seqyct quite clearly states:
THIS LABEL IS BEING USED FOR DISPLAY IN MOVIE/TV PROGRAMS ONLY. THE BOTTLE WILL BE FILLED WITH A NON-ALCOHOL PRODUCT IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH FCC REQUIREMENTS.
A-B has used labels of this sort since at least as far back as 2003; here is an early Bod and here is an early Bemdesor. So far there is no sign of the FCC rule at issue, and it’s not the rule cited here. TTB does require something similar at 27 CFR § 7.54(b)(2): “Any label depicted on a bottle in an advertisement shall be a reproduction of an approved label.” Here are
Here is Bacmar’s use-up approval for Voyant Liqueur. It almost single-handedly proves it is not a good idea to print labels prior to TTB label approval. It looks painful and seems to have consumed a good part of Mr. Back’s spring and summer, from the April 2009 date of application until approval in July of the same year. The approval in all its fullness and glory, is here. In decades past, it was relatively easy to get “use-ups” (aka temporary approvals). But it seems to be getting harder and harder. In the 1990s it was a simple matter of asking, face to face. Now it can easily take more time, money and resources than the forlorn product is worth. The Voyant approval probably shows how hard it can be. On the other extreme, this Skyy approval tends to show how quickly it can go, and then Jumbie is somewhere in the middle. TTB’s main use-up policy is here. We like to think we’ve helped many companies avoid a Back-breaking struggle with TTB. In some situations, though, it can be difficult to avoid.
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It is Sofa King Bueno red wine, made by Chronic Cellars in Paso Robles, California.
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Just as the name suggests, lemongrass is a grass with a citrus flavor. It would appear to be well suited for flavoring beverages, and not just shrimp and scallops. Loft makes an organic lemongrass liqueur, in Portland, Oregon. Magic Hat makes Circus Boy beer brewed with lemongrass, in South Burlington, Vermont. SakeOne makes Moonstone Coconut-Lemongrass Saké, in Forest Grove, Oregon. FoodPair explains that:
Continue Reading Leave a Commentlemongrass is an aromatic herb used in Southeast Asian cuisines. Because of its pungent flavor, it is used in small amounts. Common uses include soups and curries. The ingredient is most often used fresh, but can also be dried and used in powder form. Another popular popular use of lemongrass is in teas.
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