Alcohol License Types
Manufacturer, wholesaler and miscellaneous licenses
If you manufacture, distribute, or sell alcohol in Maryland, you need the correct license or permit.
This page explains Maryland alcohol manufacturer, wholesaler, statewide caterer, and special license types, including what each license allows and who you can sell to.
Before you apply
The ATCC recommends applying for licenses and permits online through Maryland OneStop.
This page can help you:
- Choose the correct license type
- Find the correct application in Maryland OneStop
- Prepare the information needed to apply
Maryland OneStop forms are fully accessible.
If you prefer to use a paper application, email [email protected] to request a legacy form.
Applying online through Maryland OneStop is the fastest way to process your request. Paper forms and mailed payments take longer to review and may delay processing.
Not sure if you need a license or a permit?
Not sure if you need a license or a permit?
Licenses are generally for ongoing business operations in Maryland
Permits are usually for specific activities, events, transportation, or limited situations, or businesses outside of Maryland.
Choose a license type
Manufacturer licenses
Manufacturer licenses allow businesses to produce alcohol in Maryland.
Different license classes apply to breweries, wineries, distilleries, and related operations.
Wholesaler licenses
Wholesaler licenses allow businesses to buy and distribute alcohol to licensed businesses in Maryland.
Manufacturer License Classes
Choose the license that matches your business.
Use this license if you:
Operate a distillery that produces liquor or spirits in Maryland.
What you can produce
- Brandy
- Rum
- Whiskey
- Neutral spirits
- Other distilled spirits
Who you can sell to
- Licensed wholesalers
- Authorized permit holders
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
Important limits or requirements
- You may offer tours and samples
- You may sell products for off-premises consumption
- You may sell or sample at farmer’s markets and festivals
- An additional county permit is required for on-site mixed drink sales, including at farmer’s markets and festivals, which may not be available in all counties
- You may contract manufacture for another licensed distillery
- Self-distribution is available with an W8 wholesale license
Use this license if you:
Blend, bottle, rectify, or process alcoholic beverages made by another manufacturer.
What you can produce
- Rectified spirits
- Blended alcoholic beverages
- Bottled alcoholic beverages
Who you can sell to
- Licensed distilleries
- Licensed wholesalers
- Authorized permit holders
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
Important limits or requirements
- You may conduct tours and tastings
- You may not sell or sample at farmer’s markets and festivals
- You may process products for another licensed rectifier
- Food catering is not allowed under this license
Use this license if you:
Operate a winery that ferments and bottles wine in Maryland.
What you can produce
- Wine
Who you can sell to
- Licensed wholesalers
- Authorized permit holders
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
- Consumers during winery tours
- May sell or sample at farmer’s markets and festivals
Important limits or requirements
- You may offer tours and tastings
- You may sell wine produced at the winery for off-premises consumption
- You may not have a tasting room for on-premises sales
- You may import bulk wine from authorized out-of-state suppliers
- You may purchase bulk wine from in-state suppliers after July 1, 2026
Use this license if you:
Operate a winery using Maryland-grown agricultural products.
What you can produce
- Wine
- Pomace brandy
Who you can sell to
- Licensed wholesalers
- Authorized permit holders
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
- Consumers for on-site and off-site sales
Important limits or requirements
- 20 acres under cultivation or Maryland-grown product requirements apply
- Limited pomace brandy production is allowed
- On-site tastings and retail sales are permitted
- Certain limited food sales are allowed
- County retail license is not allowed
- Farm and agricultural production requirements apply
- May sell or sample at farmer’s markets and festivals
Use this license if you:
Operate a brewery that produces beer or malt beverages in Maryland.
What you can produce
- Beer
- Malt beverages
Who you can sell to
- Licensed wholesalers
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
- Consumers for on-site and off-site sales, if permitted
Important limits or requirements
- You may offer tours and tastings
- On-site sales may require an additional county permit which may not be available in each county
- Annual on-site sales limits apply
- Self-distribution is available with an W7 wholesale license
- Contract brewing is allowed with authorized manufacturers
Use this license if you:
Operate a restaurant that brews beer for sale on the premises.
What you can produce
- Beer
- Malt beverages
Who you can sell to
- Consumers at the restaurant
- Consumers for limited off-premises sales in refillable containers (growlers)
Important limits or requirements
- You must hold a qualifying restaurant liquor license
- The brewery must be attached to the restaurant
- Production is limited to 2,000 barrels per year
- You may not distribute beer to other retailers
- You may not bottle or can your beer for off-premises sales
Use this license if you:
Operate a small brewery that produces beer for retail and wholesale distribution.
What you can produce
- Beer
- Malt beverages
Who you can sell to
- Licensed wholesalers
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
- Consumers for on-site and off-site sales
Important limits or requirements
- Annual production limit is 45,000 barrels
- You must hold a qualifying retail license Class B BWL license, depending on the local jurisdiction
- Self-distribution is available with an W7 wholesale license
- Contract brewing is allowed with authorized manufacturers
Use this license if you:
Operate a brewery that uses Maryland agricultural products.
What you can produce
- Beer
- Malt beverages
Who you can sell to
- Licensed wholesalers
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
- Consumers for on-site and off-site sales
Important limits or requirements
- Beer must include ingredients produced on the licensed farm
- Production is limited to 15,000 barrels annually
- Tastings and retail sales are allowed
- Certain food sales are permitted
- Multi-brewery promotional events are allowed
- Self-distribution is available with an W7 wholesale license
Use this license if you:
Operate a small distillery connected to a qualifying retail establishment.
What you can produce
- Brandy
- Rum
- Whiskey
- Neutral spirits
- Other distilled spirits
Who you can sell to
- Licensed wholesalers
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
- Consumers through the connected retail establishment
Important limits or requirements
- You must hold a qualifying retail liquor license
- Annual production and retail sales limits apply
- On-site tastings are permitted
- Self-distribution is available with an W8 wholesale license
- You may only operate one brand per product type at a time
Wholesaler license classes
Use this license if you:
Distribute beer, wine, and liquor to licensed businesses.
What you can distribute
- Beer
- Wine
- Liquor
Who you can sell to
- Licensed businesses and permit holders in Maryland
- Authorized buyers outside Maryland
Important limits or requirements
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
- Direct import privileges may apply
Limited Self-Distribution Licenses
Some Maryland manufacturers may qualify for limited self-distribution licenses.
These licenses allow eligible businesses to sell and deliver limited amounts of their own products directly to retailers.
Use this license if you:
Operate a qualifying Maryland limited winery and want to distribute your own wine directly to retailers.
What you can distribute
- Wine produced under your limited winery license
Who you can sell to
- Licensed retailers
- Authorized permit holders
- Licensed wholesalers
Important limits or requirements
- You must hold a Class 4 Limited Winery license
- Annual wine production is limited to 35,000 gallons
- You may only distribute your own brand of wine
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
Use this license if you:
Operate a qualifying Maryland brewery and want to distribute your own beer directly to retailers.
What you can distribute
- Beer produced under your brewery license
Who you can sell to
- Licensed retailers
- Authorized permit holders
Important limits or requirements
- You must hold a qualifying manufacturer license
- Annual production is limited to 45,000 barrels
- Annual self-distribution is limited to 5,000 barrels
- You may only distribute your own beer
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
Use this license if you:
Operate a qualifying Maryland distillery and want to distribute your own liquor directly to retailers.
What you can distribute
- Liquor produced under your distillery license
Who you can sell to
- Licensed retailers
- Authorized permit holders
Important limits or requirements
- You must hold a qualifying distillery license
- Annual production is limited to 100,000 gallons
- Annual self-distribution is limited to 27,500 gallons
- You may only distribute your own products
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
Full Wholesaler License Classes
Full wholesaler licenses allow businesses to buy and distribute alcohol products to licensed businesses in Maryland.
Use this license if you:
Distribute beer, wine, and liquor to licensed businesses in Maryland.
What you can distribute
- Beer
- Wine
- Liquor
Who you can sell to
- Licensed businesses and permit holders in Maryland
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
Important limits or requirements
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
- Direct import privileges may apply for international products
Use this license if you:
Distribute wine and liquor products in Maryland.
What you can distribute
- Wine
- Liquor
Who you can sell to
- Licensed businesses and permit holders in Maryland
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
Important limits or requirements
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
- Direct import privileges may apply for international products
Use this license if you:
Distribute beer and wine products in Maryland.
What you can distribute
- Beer
- Wine
Who you can sell to
- Licensed businesses and permit holders in Maryland
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
Important limits or requirements
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
- Direct import privileges may apply for international products
Use this license if you:
Distribute beer products in Maryland.
What you can distribute
- Beer
Who you can sell to
- Licensed businesses and permit holders in Maryland
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
Important limits or requirements
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
- Direct import privileges may apply for international products
Use this license if you:
Distribute wine products in Maryland.
What you can distribute
- Wine
Who you can sell to
- Licensed businesses and permit holders in Maryland
- Authorized out-of-state buyers
Important limits or requirements
- Additional warehouse locations require approval
- Direct import privileges may apply for international products
Miscellaneous Alcohol Licenses
Some alcohol-related business activities require specialized licenses that do not fall under manufacturer or wholesaler categories. These are generally retail activities that occur in multiple jurisdictions or cross county lines.
Use this license if you:
Provide alcoholic beverage catering services at multiple locations throughout Maryland.
What you can do
- Serve alcohol at approved catered events statewide
- Transport alcohol to catered events
- Provide alcohol service away from a licensed premises
- Purchase alcohol from a wholesaler if you hold a local liquor license
Who you can serve
- Guests attending private or approved catered events
Important limits or requirements
- You must hold a qualifying caterer’s license in your jurisdiction
- May not hold events at your own location unless you hold a local on-premises liquor license
- You may not be the host of the event
- Notice to local liquor board is required for events
- Alcohol sales may not account for more than 30% of event cost
- Additional rules apply to alcohol service and event operations
Use this license if you:
Provide limited alcohol catering services at approved events in Maryland.
What you can do
- Serve alcohol at qualifying catered events in more than one jurisdiction
- Transport alcohol for approved catering activities
- Provide alcohol service away from a licensed premises
- Purchase alcohol from a wholesaler if you hold a local liquor license
Who you can serve
- Guests attending approved catered events
Important limits or requirements
- May not hold events at your own location unless you hold a local on-premises liquor license
- You must hold a qualifying caterer’s license in your jurisdiction
- You may not be the host of your event
- Notice to local liquor board is required for events
- Privileges are limited to only three contiguous counties, including Baltimore City
- Alcohol sales may not account for more than 30% of event cost
- Additional rules apply to alcohol service and event operations
Use this license if you:
Sell or serve alcohol on a qualifying boat or water vessel operating in Maryland.
What you can do
- Sell and serve alcohol on the licensed vessel
Who you can sell to
- Passengers and guests on the vessel
Important limits or requirements
- The license applies only to the approved vessel
- Additional local or federal requirements may apply
Use this license if you:
Sell or serve alcohol on a qualifying railroad or train service operating in Maryland.
What you can do
- Sell and serve alcohol on the licensed railroad service
Who you can sell to
- Passengers and guests on the train
Important limits or requirements
- The license applies only to approved railroad operations
- Additional transportation or operational requirements may apply
Use this license if you:
Sell or serve alcohol on qualifying aircraft operating in Maryland.
What you can do
- Sell and serve alcohol on the licensed aircraft
Who you can sell to
- Passengers and guests on the aircraft
Important limits or requirements
- The license applies only to approved aircraft operations
- Additional federal aviation requirements may apply
Looking for alcohol permits instead?
Some alcohol-related activities require a permit instead of a license.
Permits are commonly used for:
- Transportation and storage
- Direct delivery
- Bulk transfers
- Special events
- Import and export activities
- Temporary or limited situations
Use the Alcohol Permit Types page to learn more about permit requirements and application options.
Common Questions
Some manufacturer licenses allow limited on-site retail sales, samples, or tours.
Some manufacturers may qualify for limited wholesaler licenses that allow self-distribution.
It depends on your business activities and license class.
Some license classes have annual production or sales limits.
Each license and permit application requires different information and documents.
Application checklists are available on the Apply for a License or Permit page.
These checklists can help you prepare:
- business information
- ownership documents
- federal approvals
- premises diagrams
- supporting attachments
- payment information
Preparing these items before you start your application can help avoid delays.