Section 1: Introduction

What is a Manufacturer’s Licence?

There are three classes of Manufacturer’s Licences:

• To sell wine, a manufacturer must hold a Winery Licence.

• To sell beer, a manufacturer must hold a Brewery Licence.

• To sell spirits, a manufacturer must hold a Distillery Licence.

A distillery licence permits a manufacturer to keep for sale, offer for sale or sell spirits in accordance with the regulations.

It is important to keep in mind that the AGCO’s Manufacturer’s licence is NOT a licence to manufacture liquor. 

This Guide provides information on how to apply for, and maintain, a Distillery Licence, as well as other licences and endorsements that licensed distilleries may also be eligible for, which include:

• A By-the-Glass Endorsement which authorizes a licensee to sell and serve their products for consumption in areas that are under the sole control of the licensee and on or immediately adjacent to the production site where the sale is primarily aimed at promoting the manufacturer’s product and either providing an enhanced tourist experience or fulfilling an educational purpose.

• A Caterer’s Endorsement which authorizes a licensee who has a By-the-Glass Endorsement to sell and serve their liquor at catered events at locations away from the manufacturer’s licensed premises.

• A Liquor Sales Licence which authorizes the licensee to sell and serve liquor at a tied house located at the municipal or property address of their production site.

• A Distillery Retail Store Endorsement which authorizes a distillery to sell its spirits at any location on the licensee’s production site from a retail store on the production site.

• A Temporary Extension Endorsement which authorizes a licensee who has a Distillery Retail Store Endorsement to sell their eligible products within a farmers’ market or at an eligible industry promotional event, as an occasional extension of their retail store.

• A Delivery Endorsement which authorizes a licensee to deliver liquor from another manufacturer’s winery retail store, brewery retail store or distillery retail store to a customer.