The rules craft beverage producers work under, checked against the source.

Every DSP proprietor that sells or offers alcohol for sale must register as a dealer, but TTB approval of the DSP registration application is the dealer registration at the plant. The proprietor is classed as a wholesale dealer in liquors and may also operate as a retail dealer without additional registration; registration covers all sales at that location, including wine, beer and other proprietors' spirits (19.202). Anyone selling to non-dealers is a retail dealer (31.31), and registration is required for each place of business (31.71), so off-site sales locations need their own registration. Wineries (24.52) and breweries (25.112) have the same rule. Whether a distillery may sell bottles at all is a state question.

Section 105 of the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (27 U.S.C. 205) makes it unlawful for an industry member to (a) require a retailer to buy its products to the exclusion of others (exclusive outlets, 27 CFR part 8), (b) induce a retailer through interests, furnishing things of value, credit and similar means (tied house, part 6), (c) bribe employees of trade buyers (commercial bribery, part 10), or (d) sell on consignment or with a privilege of return (part 11). Each part says it does not exempt anyone from state law. 27 CFR 6.95 lets an industry member run consumer tastings at a retail establishment, buying the product from the retailer at no more than the ordinary retail price. For malt beverages, subsections (a)-(d) apply to interstate transactions only to the extent the state imposes similar requirements on in-state brewers (205, closing paragraph); spirits and wine are covered in full.

Federal law sets no direct-to-consumer privilege for any beverage. 18 U.S.C. 1716(f): "All spirituous, vinous, malted, fermented, or other intoxicating liquors of any kind are nonmailable," so USPS cannot carry spirits, wine, beer, cider or mead. 27 U.S.C. 122 (Webb-Kenyon) prohibits shipping any intoxicating liquor into a state, territory or DC when it is intended to be received, possessed, sold or used in violation of that jurisdiction's law. 27 U.S.C. 122a lets a state attorney general sue in federal district court for an injunction against a person shipping in violation of state import or transportation law (not against a person licensed in that state). Whether a distillery may ship to consumers is therefore decided state by state; the federal rules treat all beverage types the same.