Do commercial beer bottles need a label?

Question

A friend of mine brews his own beer, and thus has no need for a lable. Some of the colors/shapes of his bottles are quite cool, and (in my opinion) actually look better sans label. If a commercial beer company were to pack beer in boxs (4 or six packs) that had all the relevant information (surgon generals warning, alcohol content, etc) would there be a legal need to have lables on the individual bottles?

Or, to maybe approach this from a different angle...what if each beer was in an individual box with all relevant information printed on that box? Basically, my question is, is there any way for a commercial beer producer to get around having a label on the bottle itself?

I think you guys are missing the point of my question....the packaging for the beer would have this information. Indeed, each bottle could be individually packaged and have that information present on the box. What I'm asking is, is there a legal stipulation that states something to the effect of "you must have X information physically attached to each bottle."

Answer 1

The answer is yes, it needs a label.
There are minimum labeling requirements for anything sold containing alcohol (surgeon general's warning, etc.). The rules also include the minimum size of the lettering, too. The label can either be adhered to the bottle, or screen printed, but must be present.

Here's the federal regulation:
(particularly 7.20.b)
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=709d85f0a4b100f229c170fc53283900&rgn=div6&view=text&node=27:1.0.1.1.5.3&idno=27

Answer 2

Each bottle needs to have a label because it could potentially be separated from the case and sold individually. Furthermore, since it is an alcoholic product, ATF labelling regs state that any vessel destined for commercial use must be properly labeled with its contents. Finally, most states state that all food products must be labelled. While farmers' markets may get away without labelling their produce, the beer trade is far too regulated to get away with it.

Answer 3

Yes, absolutely. The FDA regulations say that all containers must list the ingredients. Their contention would likely be that the box could thrown away, leaving a container with no list of ingredients. Look at a bottle of aspirin or cough syrup, there is a list of ingredients on the box, another paper inside with even more details and a label on the bottle with the ingredients again. Seems silly, since you can peel off the label. But, when sold it must conform to their regulations. I suppose he could etch it on the bottles.

Answer 4

commericial beers have to be labled, and since the brewers of said beers are not going to make seperate packageing for stores vs bars then you will never be able to buy a beer with out a lable attached to the bottle.

Answer 5

If he's going to market the beer, yes, he needs a label to include specific things such as where it's made, nutrition info, fluid oz. inside, warnings about alcohol consumption, etc. I suggest he contact the Alcohol Regulatory authority in your state... they can probably give details.

Answer 6

yes cos u need to know how many units there is in the beer bottle and how much you supose to drink every day /week.

Answer 7

yes, they do need a label because if you are advertizing, you need to have the label because the person doesn't know what you are advertizing for.