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Qualified Small Distiller Certificate

About the Qualified Small Distiller Certificate Program

The Qualified Small Distiller Certificate is available to Michigan small distillers and equivalent out-of-state distillers who are committed to using at least 40% Michigan-grown and harvested grain in their base distillate. The certificate is the first step in adjusting the gross profit that a small distiller returns to the MLCC.

Qualified Small Distiller Certificate Application and Renewal - Application Period is CLOSED

The 2025 Qualified Small Distiller Certificate application period is closed. The Michigan Craft Beverage Council will provide a list of Certified Qualified Distillers to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) before November 1, 2024. It will be the distiller's responsibility to then notify the MLCC of qualified distilled products for 2025. The payment adjustment will happen through MLCC's Equote system.

The application period for the 2026 Qualified Distiller Program is expected to open in late spring, 2025.

Registered Product and Audits

It is very important that distillers only register products with the MLCC that the business can verify are made with 40% Michigan-grown and harvested grain. Required for audit purposes: Scale tickets and/or Michigan certification of origination statements for all qualified grain used in each product. Along with scale tickets/origination statements, MDARD will need to see the amount of all ingredients that goes into each product (Michigan and non-Michigan) so that a calculation can be made to determine that 40% qualified grains were used. If the distiller sourced grain out of state and grain in state for one product, MDARD would need to know how much of each. If grain spirit product is purchased in bulk for distilling purposes, it is the responsibility of the end-user to report the grain use on the annual application.

Download a Michigan Certification of Origination Form

Michigan Small Distiller and Out of State Equivalent Information

Applications will only be considered from a licensed Michigan Small Distiller or an out-of-state equivalent of a Michigan Small Distiller.

View Distiller or Small Distiller Licensing Requirements & General Information.

Out-of-State equivalents of a Michigan Small Distiller must need to verify that:

  1. It has a federal Distilled Spirits Plant (DSP) Basic Permit that allows it to manufacture distilled spirits.
  2. It has the applicable state-issued license to manufacture spirits.
  3. It does not make more than 60,000 gallons of spirits a year.
  4. It manufactures the spirits it will be selling to the Commission.  The definition of “manufacture” is in MCL 436.1109(1): "Manufacture" means to distill, rectify, ferment, brew, make, produce, filter, mix, concoct, process, or blend an alcoholic liquor or to complete a portion of 1 or more of these activities.

Also, Out-of-State Equivalents will need to be set up as a Vendor of Spirits, have a contract with an Authorized Distribution Agent, and it would need to have an employee who has been issued a Vendor Representative license.

Contact

Jenelle Jagmin, Director, Michigan Craft Beverage Council
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
517-930-0696
MDARD-QualifiedDistiller@michigan.gov

Qualified Small Distiller Certificate Email Notifications

Please enter your email address here to be added to the Qualified Distiller listserv and you'll receive notifications pertaining to this certificate.

News

Governor Whitmer Signs Bill Helping Michigan Distilleries

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I file an annual application to be a qualified small distiller?
    The 2022 Michigan Qualified Distiller Application period is September 1 – September 23. Upon receipt of the form by MDARD, applicants will receive an email from MDARD-QualifiedDistiller@michigan.gov with an invoice that must be paid within 15 business days. All applicants will receive an invoice by September 30, 2022.

    How much does the application cost?
    The qualified distiller application fee is $500.00 annually.

    What if I submitted my application but did not receive an emailed invoice within seven business days?
    Contact Jenelle Jagmin at 517-930-0696 or MDARD-QualifiedDistiller@michigan.gov

    When will the qualified small distiller certificate need to be renewed?
    July 1, 2023

    What is eligible to be qualified distilled product?
    A qualified distilled product contains the base distillate of the small distiller or the out-of-state entity that is the substantial equivalent of a small distiller which is at least 40% distilled from qualified grain grown and harvested in this state.

    What records are necessary to determine if I have a qualified distilled product?
    A qualified small distiller shall keep a complete and accurate set of records and accounts of all transactions pertaining to the operation of its distillery, including, but not limited to, records and accounts of all qualified grain received in or withdrawn from the distillery, all acknowledgment forms and Michigan certification of origination statements in the qualified small distiller’s possession, copies of all contracts, and acknowledgment forms returned to and settled by the qualified small distiller.

    Information must include amounts of all ingredients (Michigan and non-Michigan) to determine the 40% threshold required for qualified products.

    When will the price of each qualified distilled spirits manufactured by a qualified small distiller return a gross profit to the commission of 32.5%?
    January 1, 2023 and each January following.

    What is the penalty if I knowingly supply false information?
    A small distiller or an out-of-state entity that is the substantial equivalent of a small distiller that knowingly supplies false information to MDARD or the MLCC is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $3,000.00, or both. A small distiller or an out-of-state entity that is the substantial equivalent of a small distiller that knowingly supplies false information as described in this subsection shall pay the commission the difference between the gross profit the commission would have received under subsection (1) if the small distiller or the out-of-state entity that is the substantial equivalent of a small distiller was not a qualified small distiller, as determined by the commission.

  • What can I expect during an audit?
    Qualified Small Distillers must be able to provide supporting documentation for all qualified products. During the audit, specific qualified products will be selected for review and the distiller must be able to provide adequate documentation on the amount of grain, and its origin, that was used in the mash.

    What kind of documents may be asked for as proof of Michigan qualified grain?
    Documentation can include but is not limited to a Michigan Certification of Origination statement, scale tickets, contracts, Bill of Ladings, affidavit or signed certification from supplier, and invoices from a grower/producer which includes address.

    What if the distillate was not mashed and fermented on site and was purchased elsewhere?
    The company that produced the distillate must provide either a letter, affidavit, or statement on the invoice certifying the origin of the grain used for the distillate. This should be obtained no less than annually.

    How long should I keep my records?
    Records must be kept for all qualified products throughout the duration they are listed. For example, if a qualified product was mashed and fermented 10 years ago, the qualified distiller must have records to show it qualifies at any point it is listed as a qualified distilled product.

    How will I be notified of an audit?
    MDARD and/or MLCC examine the records and accounts pertaining to the qualified small distiller’s qualified grain handling business at any time during normal business hours. Documentation requests may occur on premise at your facility and/or through written communication.

    Will sensitive data be kept confidential?
    Yes, specific details regarding recipes, suppliers, customers, and other sensitive information will not be maintained.

    What happens if I cannot provide proof of the origin of the grain that was used for my qualified product?
    MDARD and/or MLCC may commence with compliance follow-up processes.

    How often can I be audited?
    Qualified distillers may be audited anytime throughout the year that a qualified distilled product is listed.

  • Is a processor, distributor, or handler required to deduct and remit commodity assessments?
    They may be required to in accordance with the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act 232 of 1965, Section 5 (c) Pursuant to the marketing program and for convenience, the processors, distributors, or handlers of the agricultural commodity or agricultural commodity input may be required to collect and remit producer assessments to the committee at no cost to the marketing program unless the marketing program expressly provides for the payment of a reasonable fee for making the deduction and remittance.

    In the case of a marketing program that provides for the imposition of an assessment, the processors, distributors, or handlers dealing with the producer shall collect the assessment from the producer by deducting the assessment from the gross amount owing to the producer and shall remit the assessment and data to the committee within a reasonable time period as established by the committee. A processor, distributor, or handler who fails to deduct or remit the assessment is liable to the committee for any assessments not deducted or remitted.

    Here's more information about the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act.

    Is a distiller considered a processor?
    Yes, a processor is a person engaged in canning, freezing, dehydrating, drying, fermenting, distilling, extracting, preserving, grinding, crushing, milling, or otherwise preserving or changing the form of an agricultural commodity for the purpose of marketing it.

    Do I need to collect an assessment when I purchase grain from an elevator?
    No, assessments are only deducted by the first purchaser, in this case the elevator has already assessed the producer.

    What commodities would require a commodity assessment deduction?
    If purchasing directly from a producer, the following commodities may require an assessment:  apples, blueberries, cherries, tree fruit, corn, wheat, soybeans, and potatoes. Commodity marketing boards should be contacted by distillers to answer assessment questions and provide remittance requirements.

    Where can I find more information regarding the legislatively established commodity boards?
    Commodity board website and contact information can be found here.

Michigan Craft Beverage Council logo

Michigan Craft Beverage Council

The Michigan Craft Beverage Council (MCBC) is a 10-member, governor-appointed board that is advisory to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The Council facilitates research, promotion, and agricultural business development efforts, supporting connections that are vital to a unique supply chain. The spirit of collaboration drives Council activities, with the goal of unifying and uplifting Michigan’s craft beverage industry now and for the future.

For more information about the Michigan Craft Beverage Council, visit MichiganCraftBeverage.com.