We are two of the founders of the Funkwerks brewery in Fort Collins, CO. We have always wanted to experience the gratification pursuing our entrepreneurial passions and creating a unique product we can share with others. The idea for a series of primers to alcohol and beverage laws was sparked from our journey to open a small package brewery. We are pleased to say that we poured the first beers to the public at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival!
Anda is a writer, an experienced corporate attorney, and a business law instructor. She represented entities of all sizes in connection with controlled beverage law; brewery formation; corporate governance and advising boards of directors; financing transactions; distribution, licensing, and franchise arrangements; employment matters; intellectual property issues; mergers, acquisitions, and leveraged buyouts; real estate issues; and general contract drafting and negotiation.
Brad is a CPA who's first taste of the craft beer industry came when he audited a malster in Portland, Oregon. He began homebrewing, and started to fulfill his brewing passion by completing the Siebel Institute of Technology and World Brewing Academy's Master Brewer Program.
Before coming to Fort Collins, we put a lot of energy into determining the feasibility of breweries in Arizona, Vermont, and south Florida. Unfortunately, after many hours of research, our business ideas for a small package brewery were often snuffed out by the minefield of federal and state laws and regulations. Then we thought: "Wouldn't it be great if there was a guide to the laws?"
Such a guide would give brewers and vintners interested in opening breweries and wineries a quick glance at the issues they might face, and allow them to be more productive with business plans. So, we began to create our own guide to the alcohol and beverage laws affecting breweries and wineries in the Unites States.
Our primers are focused on providing brewers and vintners with a basic understanding of what issues might arise in opening or expanding a brewery or winery. They also help a brewer or vintner identify what questions to ask about the alcohol and beverage laws, and where to find the answers; thus, freeing the brewer to focus on generating innovative business ideas. The primers do not provide legal, business, tax, or other financial advice; and they may not be used as substitutes for obtaining the counsel and advice of competent licensed legal, business, accounting, and financial professionals.
If you are a startup brewery or winery, or looking to expand, we are sure you will find our guides helpful.
Anda Lincoln & Brad Lincoln
