Distributors are consolidating, cutting their craft teams, and saying no more than ever. Here’s what they’re actually looking for, and the shortcut most new brands don’t even know exists.

Over fourteen years of building spirits brands — 9 of our own, Delta Air Lines certified, more than 100 awards between them — we have learned that production is the easiest part of launching an alcohol brand. The hard part is everything that happens after the pallet leaves the dock.

Everything you need to launch a spirits brand in 2026 — from concept and contract distilling to COLA approval, three-tier pricing, and your first production run. Real numbers, real timelines, no guesswork.

The ready-to-drink cocktail category is growing faster than almost any other segment in consumer packaged goods — and spirit-based RTDs are leading the charge. But between TTB formula approvals, COLA compliance, co-packer selection, and three-tier distribution, getting your brand from concept to shelf is a process most founders underestimate. This is the complete playbook — every step, every requirement, and every decision that separates the brands that ship from the ones tha

The CoreBev Group has partnered with Markavo to provide its network of beverage entrepreneurs with priority access to affordable, flat-rate U.S. trademark services. This strategic alliance equips emerging spirits brands with the vital IP protection they need to safely launch, raise capital, and scale.

Nobody hands you a map when you're launching a spirits brand. This checklist covers every box you need to check — formula, TTB compliance, packaging, co-packing, distribution, and cash flow — before your product is ready to hit a shelf. Work through it honestly. The gaps you find now are far cheaper to fix than the ones that find you later.

The RTD category isn't simply growing, it's taking share from beer, wine, and traditional spirits simultaneously. Here's what the data actually shows, where the market is headed, and what it means for a brand deciding whether to enter the space right now.

There is no shortage of co-packing facilities in the Northeast. There is, however, a shortage of partners who can take a beverage from concept to shelf without handing you off to three other vendors along the way. CoreBev does it all, under one roof, in Waterbury, CT.

The canned cocktail boom isn't a trend — it's a structural shift in how consumers drink. Retailers have committed shelf space, distributors are actively seeking new brands, and the window is open right now. Here's exactly what it takes to get your RTD brand into the market before it closes.

Where your product is made matters more than most brands realize. For spirits and RTD brands targeting the Northeast, co-packing in Connecticut cuts freight costs, tightens lead times, and gives you a distribution edge that compounds with every single reorder.

By CoreBev | Co-Manufacturing for Spirits & RTDs | Waterbury, CT You've got the recipe. You've got the brand vision. You might even have a retailer interested. But before any of that matters, you need to solve the one problem every first-time beverage founder eventually hits: how do you actually get your product made, bottled, and on a shelf? For most startup founders, the answer is a co-packer, a contract manufacturer who handles the production side so you can focus on build

CoreBev has announced the launch of Adversary Whiskey, a premium American expression developed through a five-year finishing program at Connecticut Distilling in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Now available in Connecticut, New York, Montana, South Carolina, and Florida—with expansion into New Jersey and California scheduled for 2026—the release showcases CoreBev’s vertically integrated co-manufacturing capabilities and long-term brand development strategy within the American whiske

Choosing the wrong co-manufacturer can quietly erode your margins, stall production, and cap your brand’s growth. In this deep dive, we uncover the hidden operational risks beverage brands face — and explain what serious founders should demand from a white label spirits manufacturer or private label alcohol production partner built for scale.

CoreBev has added a 17,000 square foot bonded storage facility to enhance its integrated storage and co-manufacturing services. This expansion strengthens supply chain efficiency, compliance, and scalability for beverage brands ready to grow.

When Mohegan needed to bring the Highroller canned cocktail to market, speed, precision, and trust mattered. This case study explores how CoreBev’s obsession with execution and client outcomes enabled a fast, high-stakes launch, without sacrificing quality or compliance.

CoreBev's newest experiment starts where most gin never does: with beer. Distilled into a clean, character-rich base and layered with locally sourced botanicals, this gin is bright, crisp, and unmistakably New England. The full release lands across the state in March, but guests who book a private tour online can taste it early.

CoreBev made waves at Athens Bar Show 2025, serving over 1,000 samples and connecting with dozens of European import partners in a high-energy activation that solidified our growing presence on the continent. With acclaimed guest bartender Christian Hurtgen (Pinta Cocktail Bar, Munich) behind the bar and collaborations with Hahalis Distillery, Skinos Mastiha, and La Cabana Cocktail Truck, we unveiled bold new cocktails that pushed flavor boundaries and drew nonstop crowds.

Launching a ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail brand is one of the fastest-growing opportunities in the beverage industry today. But between TTB approvals, formulation, label compliance, production, and distribution, the process can feel overwhelming — especially for first-time founders.

CoreBev has officially expanded its bottling operations in Waterbury, Connecticut, adding 8,000 sq ft of bonded production space and enhanced equipment for large-scale co-packing and white label spirits manufacturing. This expansion reinforces CoreBev’s role as a leader in craft and industrial spirits production, empowering both established and emerging beverage brands to scale efficiently and sustainably.

CoreBev, the award-winning Connecticut-based craft beverage company, announced its expansion into New York through a partnership with Affinity Brands. Beginning October 15, CoreBev’s portfolio—Kavo Rum, Moonlight RTD Cocktails, The Cocktail Chemist, and Adversary Whiskey—will be available statewide. “This marks a pivotal moment as we bring our craft spirits to one of the nation’s most dynamic markets,” said CEO Stelios Stavrianos.