Maine Alcoholic Beverage Market: Regulations, Statistics, Trends, and Wholesalers

Maine presents a unique and tightly controlled alcohol market that reflects the state’s distinctive regulatory approach and rich tradition. The Pine Tree State operates as a control jurisdiction under the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO), which maintains strict oversight over the wholesale supply and pricing of spirits while allowing broader retail distribution through licensed private businesses. This creates a hybrid regulatory environment that combines public control with private retail operations.

Maine had an approximate population of 1.4 million people in 2023, with 1.1 million within the legal drinking age bracket. The state ranks 38th in distilled spirits consumption. The state’s alcohol industry features a robust production landscape with over 50 distilleries, 25 wineries, and 150 breweries contributing to the market’s vibrancy and variety.

Unlike many other control states, Maine allows grocery stores, big-box retailers (like Walmart and Target), and even gas stations to sell beer, wine, and spirits, provided they are properly licensed. Maine also holds a notable place in U.S. alcohol history as the first state to enact prohibition, passing the “Maine Law” in 1851.

We’ve prepared a guide to the Maine market which covers the following topics:

• Consumption trends
• The most popular alcohol categories
• Local guidelines

If you need help establishing your presence in Maine, provide your information below, and we’ll contact you to share more on how we can help.

Consumption Trends In Maine

Spirits experienced moderate growth in the state of Maine during the five-year period from 2019 to 2023 with a CAGR of +1.87%. Meanwhile, wine sales were flat with a 0.0% CAGR and beer saw a slump of -1.37% CAGR over the same period. Below is a full chart of beverage alcohol consumption by category from 2019 to 2023.

Maine Spirits Consumption from 2019-2023 by 9-Liter Cases

Maine Wine Consumption from 2019-2023 by 9-Liter Cases

Maine Beer Consumption from 2019-2023 by 9-Liter Cases

Maine State Alcohol Licensing

Maine operates as a control state with the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations (BABLO) overseeing all aspects of alcohol regulation. Maine is not a franchise state, providing more flexibility in supplier-distributor relationships. The state maintains control over wholesale supply and pricing of spirits while allowing private retail operations through licensed businesses.

Common Licenses for Manufacturers in Maine

Spirits

• Small Distillery License – Allows production of up to 50,000 gallons of spirits per year. Requires a $10 filing fee and a $100 license fee. Applicants must submit detailed facility diagrams and business information and comply with all state regulations regarding premises and operations.
• Distillery License – For operations producing more than 50,000 gallons per year. Allows distilling, rectifying, blending, and bottling spirits at a larger scale.
• Manufacturer’s License – Required for all distilleries regardless of size. May include privileges for tastings and limited retail sales depending on the business model.

Wine

• Small Winery License – Allows production of up to 50,000 gallons of table and sparkling wine per year (up to 24% alcohol content). Requires a $10 filing fee and $50 license fee. Applicants must submit detailed facility diagrams and business information.
• Standard Winery License – For operations producing more than 50,000 gallons per year. Allows larger-scale production and may have additional requirements.
• Manufacturer’s License—Required for all wineries regardless of size. Depending on the business model, this may include privileges for tastings and limited retail sales.

Beer

• Small Brewery License – For breweries producing up to 50,000 gallons of beer per year. Requires $50 application fee plus $10 filing fee.
• Brewery License – For breweries producing more than 50,000 gallons of malt liquor (beer) per year. Requires a $1,000 application fee plus a $10 filing fee.

Out-of-State Brand Requirements

Spirits

• Certificate of Approval – All out-of-state spirits suppliers (including manufacturers and wholesalers) must obtain a Certificate of Approval from BABLO before offering, selling, or transporting spirits into Maine. Required whether you are a manufacturer or an entity purchasing spirits out-of-state for resale to the bureau.

Wine

• Certificate of Approval – Any out-of-state manufacturer or wholesaler of wine must obtain a Certificate of Approval from BABLO before offering, selling, or transporting wine into Maine for sale or resale.
• Wine Direct Shipper License – Out-of-state wineries may ship wine directly to Maine consumers if they obtain this license from the Liquor Licensing and Tax Division.

Beer

• Certificate of Approval – All out-of-state manufacturers and wholesalers of malt liquor (beer) must obtain a Certificate of Approval from BABLO before any beer can be shipped into Maine for sale or distribution.

Maine State Alcohol Regulations

Price Posting in Maine

Certificate of approval holders and licensed bottlers must post FOB shipping point prices for malt liquor and wine being sold to wholesale licensees. Written notice of price changes must be given to bureau and wholesale licensees at least 30 days before effective date unless permission has been given by bureau to reduce this notice period. All price changes are effective on the first day of the month.

Brand/Label Registration Requirements

Open Market Products: Label registration through BABLO is required for malt liquor, wine, hard cider, and low-alcohol spirits. Products cannot be sold in Maine unless the container bears a label registered with the Bureau. Initial registration fee is $10.00 per brand/type, with $1.00 fee for each subsequent label change. Annual re-registration fee is $1.00 per brand/type.

Control State Possible Listings: A photograph of the package and/or samples of the label and a photograph are required. Items submitted for possible listing must have a National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA) code already assigned and Universal Product Code (UPC) bar coding on the label.

Direct-to-Consumer Sales and Delivery

Wine

• Wine Direct Shipper License – Wineries located either within Maine or outside the state that hold a federal basic permit to manufacture wine may obtain this license by filing an application with the Bureau and paying an application fee of $200.00. Only wine direct shipments are permitted.

Spirits

• Direct-to-consumer sales are not permitted. Only wine is allowed for direct shipment.

Beer

• Direct-to-consumer sales are not permitted. Only wine is allowed for direct shipment.

Retailer Delivery

On-premises retailers may sell liquor for off-premises consumption under specific conditions:

• Prior notification to the Bureau is required on an approved form
• Liquor sold for off-premises consumption must be accompanied by a food order for a full meal
• Retailers may sell only the type(s) of liquor that their license allows
• All sales must be accompanied by a time-stamped sales receipt
• Delivery is permitted by the retailer or employee to customers at licensed premises or remote locations, provided the delivery person is at least 21 years of age, liquor is not delivered to visibly intoxicated persons, and proper ID verification is conducted

Maine Spirits Volume By Category – 2023 Data

Spirit trends in Maine by volume and dollar sales in 2023.

Source: Beverage Information Group

Maine Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data

Wine trends in Maine by volume sales in 2023

Source: Beverage Information Group

Maine Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data

Beer trends in Maine by volume sales in 2023

Source: Beverage Information Group

Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Maine

Below you will find an updated list of the top distributors located in the state of Maine. Need more info on all the distributors throughout the United States of America? Check out the full list of distributors or fill out the contact form provided.

Wine & Spirits Distributors

Selling Alcohol In Maine

Looking for information on selling alcohol in Maine? If so, then the answers provided below are for you. Remember, laws may vary depending on your specific location, but here’s what you need to know. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, then please contact us.

FAQs on Maine Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales

Buying Alcohol In Maine – Hours, Locations & Taxes

Everything you need to know about buying alcohol in the state of Maine. Please reach out if you do not find the answers you are looking for.

FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in Maine

(Data Sources – maine.gov)

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