Starting my own alcohol brand

[Markme]

So in todays day and age the world is a bunch of alcoholics.. well atleast australians are.
Any way I am thinking that instead of labouring away for the next 70 years of my life i could start my own brand of vodka or rum etc..
but im not sure how to go about the startups and etc.
i know that there is certain taxes that apply, but does anyone esle have any info or experience for me?

[allrelative]

before you think about starting up.
what do you know about this industry?

[GlobalWealth]

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of vodkas and rums available. Forget whiskey of any type, too much history needed to sell a product. What about importing something into Australia that doesn't exist? There are lots of different types of alcohol that are regional specific like slivocie (Czech Republic), absynth (different parts of europe, although this seems to be spreading), cachaca (Brazil), Tennessee whiskey or bourbon (US, and these are sold more widely around the world but many great brands arent available), and I am sure there are many others.

My suggestion would be to work for an alcohol distributor for a while (1-2 years maybe) to learn the biz.

[Beale]

I Would Love To Do This , i am scottish and most people drink here so it would be a god starting point .

[rejoice]

goji berry vodka... great for your health and get's you drunk!! at the moment infuse mine... but i've been thinking about getting a goji berry vodka on the marketing... nothing out there

[studiosixfive]

To be honest, I think that you need to be a little more inventive. Yes most of today's society are drunks. But, there are tons of liquors available right now. And unless you have an immense stash of start up capital you might not be heading for success right away. However if you ask yourself what can I do that is different but still fits into my niche you may be at a good starting point. I am in no way trying to turn you away from your idea. Not at all. What I am merely suggesting is how can you make your idea better and profitable in todays society.

I have started my own business' and I did it with little to know experience and capital. I was fortunate enough that I was in the right place at the right time. However I took an already existing idea and made it better.

Success leaves clues.

May your lives be blessed and full of abundance.

[Clemence Karissa]

That's a good question! I've wondered the same thing myself. Whenever I drink whiskey I get sick, like, almost automatically... but maybe thats just a matter of taste because I hate it. I pretty much just avoid liquior in general, because I like beer much better and it doesn't make me sick or dizzy.

[paul2145r]

Alcohol is a tough industry to get into with no experience.. almost impossible in fact, unless you have strong financial backing. i agree with GlobalWealth- learn how to get into distribution and go from there. Before jumping right in to the nightmare of becoming a distributor, first try becoming a rep for various brands.

Call the major distribution companies in your city or region, and get a list of the brands that they carry. Analyze the list, and see if there are any gaps in the brands that they represent. For example- if none of the distributors carry Imperia brand Vodka, then find out what is required to become a 'rep' for Imperia. Set up a presentation, get the requisite facts and figures about the brand, and bring plenty of samples ;-)

Pick brands that will allow you to get a decent commissions from representing them. Carrying Popov Vodka that sells for $4USD per bottle may not be the best route to take, as you will be making a percentage off of the $2.50 (or so) / btl wholesale price. Then again, if cheap nasty antifreeze-like liquor sells in your area (if it's a college town, for example), the you may still be able to get a decent return.

Over time, you will have developed relationships with both the liquor companies and distribution networks throughout your area. You will be able to learn how the business works, learn how to pitch the booze, and will have the money to hire the legal team that is necessary to become a distributor.

In Australia, the regulations may not be as difficult as states here in the US. In Tennessee, there are four territories for the entire state. Only one distributor per territory is allowed to carry a certain type of alcohol. Many of the counties are "dry" counties, so much of the liquor industry is based primarily in a few key states. In Georgia, distributors have to jump through all kinds of hoops set up by the biggest of the distribution companies. All of these regulations are designed to keep the 'new guys' out. Much like cigarettes, the distributors have enough money and pull to keep the laws running in their favor.

Brands/liquors for you to consider:

Imperia Vodka
Russian Standard Vodka
Wine from Georgia (the country), Romania, and Moldova
Absynth
Tennessee or Kentucky Bourbon (both are distilled in KY)
Dark Irish/German Brew Beer
Mexican Beer
Jamaican Beer (Red Stripe, etc)
Jamaican/Caribbean Rum

[ACB123]

I agree, try your hand at working for a distributor to learn the basics. I would say at least a year. Then maybe you should start importing to determine what's popular and what has staying power in the market. THEN I would start researching about developing your brand. You have a great idea but it could really blow up in your face if you don't know what you're doing.

Just a thought. Good luck.

[Markme]

Importing and distributing are different to my ideas, a few people gave me a answer that related to my question and also capital isnt really an issue here.

Its more along the line of, how doable is it?
I could independantly sell vodka myself without it being in a bottle shop and make thousands still, but it from my understanding of the market these days, if you throw up a big enough add campain and supply your drinks for free to some clubs, then distributors will really kick up a storm and want your product.

i guess the main questions im interested in getting answers is things such as, on what scale should i start producing... 10,000L a month or 500,000L? which i guess depends on how fast i can get the product out there...

plus what sort of things can i write off on my tax, as australia has a reiduclously hefty tax on spirits, off the top of my head its about $20 per litre.

how would i go about labeling, because people will buy anything thats priced cheaply so would a fancy label matter.

also i wanted to have a less expensive premium brand, because having shit vodka in cocktails is nasty.

i know extreme amounts when it comes to actually making the stuff so i believe that replicating on a bigger scale wouldnt be too difficult.

importing alcohol in australia is very.. err expensive, theres import tax, tax on the alcohol itself and then a few hundred pages of australian binge drinking and underage drinking and etc legislationg to comply with.

but all in all, when money isnt an issue, is starting my own brand of vodka a viable profitable option, if i can get people to buy the stuff... (which really isnt a problem because a 750ml bottle of vodka here averages at $40+ for a decent bottle, so anything around that price or cheaper thats good will be a piece of cake to sell.)

[Markme]

Bring
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[Voi Network]

I think "rejoice's" idea is great. Look at something that gets you drunk, but is healty (in some way) maybe try Acai Berry, I think that is very flavorable myself, but I enjoy sweet vodka drinks!!! It would definatley beat the flavor of the old vodka & cranberry!!!

Good Luck,
Jessica

[Markme]

The thing is, i dont really want to buy some one elses idea and sell it, in my point of view im just making the person who owns that company a heck of alot more money.

So i figured producing and selling my own an a commercial scale would be a really worth while thing, not only in capital, but in the end i will have a rather large company and an even bigger customer base.

I like the idea of building my own empire and selling some one else's product or working for some one else isnt going to really do it for me.

[Scar Tissue]

Starting a alcohol brand ? Sounds so exciting! Maybe gather a group of tasters? Invited all professional vodka drinkers- chefs, restaurant owners, bartenders, wine and spirits journalists, retailers......

[brokemet]

You will still need to explore more about the Alcoholic Business before trying to create your own. Consider also the twist of not only making people drunk but would also prevent them of much negative impact of the alcohol but will have all the fun. That will surely create a big interest.