TTB Brewer's Bonds

What Is a TTB Brewer’s Bond?

The U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) requires surety bonds to guarantee that brewers pay federal alcohol taxes for selling, producing and warehousing beer. A TTB brewer’s bond is required for breweries and pilot brewing plants as part of the permit process. These bonds ensure brewers pay all alcohol taxes and any penalties or fines resulting from liquor license violations. 

How Do I Get a TTB Alcohol Bond? 

First, contact your local authority and/or TTB to determine the exact bond coverage you need. The minimum bond amount is $1,000 for breweries and $500 for pilot brewing plants. 

Once you know your bond amount, you can purchase your brewer’s bond online 24/7. You'll need to provide the following information:

• Business name
• Business address
• Business structure 
• Bond amount
• Type of bond (original, strengthening, or superseding)

After you checkout, we’ll email your official TTB alcohol tax bond instantly. 

Who Needs This Bond? 

Per the PATH Act of 2015, breweries or pilot brewery operations with more than $50,000 in excise alcohol tax liability per year must file a surety bond. Here’s how TTB defines the two types of bonded operations: 

• Brewery: A brewery established to produce malt beverages, a brewpub or microbrewery or an alternating proprietorship with another brewery. 
• Pilot Brewery: A brewery established off brewery premises for research, analytical, experimental or developmental purposes relating to beer. 

SuretyBonds.com also provides TTB Tobacco Bonds, TTB Wine Bonds, TTB Distilled Spirits Bonds and state-level Alcohol Tax Bonds.  

How Much Do TTB Bonds Cost for Alcohol Manufacturers?

You can purchase a TTB brewer’s bond instantly for up to $50,000 in coverage. 

• Bond amounts up to $25k cost $39 per $1k of coverage, starting at $325. 
• Bond amounts of $25k–$50k cost $39 per $1k for the first $25K of coverage, then $8 per $1k for the remaining coverage. 
• Bonds for more than $50k cost $12/k for the first $25k of coverage, $8/k for the next $25,000 and $3.75/k for excess over $50,000.

When Will My Bond Expire?

Brewer’s surety bonds expire after the four-year term is complete. You can file a continuation certificate to extend the bond coverage for another four years. 

Who Regulates Licensing for Breweries? 

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) enforces federal regulations for breweries and other alcohol manufacturers. If you have questions, you can contact the TTB National Revenue Center at 877-882-3277 or use the online contact form.

How Do I Get a TTB Alcohol Producer and Manufacturer Permit? 

To become a TTB-registered brewery, first submit a Brewer’s Notice application. If TTB approves your application, submit the following documents to receive a brewer’s permit:

• Completed Brewer’s Bond Form 
• Personnel Questionnaire
• Power of Attorney (if applicable)
• Signing Authority for Corporate and LLC Officials (if applicable)