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

Mississippi presents a complex and highly regulated alcohol market. The Magnolia State operates as a control jurisdiction under the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) division, which maintains strict oversight over spirits and wine distribution while allowing more open distribution for beer and light wine. This creates a distinctive regulatory environment with significant local variations and historical restrictions.

Mississippi had an approximate population of 2.9 million people in 2024, with 2.1 million within the legal drinking age bracket. The state ranks 33rd in distilled spirits consumption, with annual sales of approximately 2.2 million 9-liter cases. The state’s alcohol industry features a limited production landscape with just around 5 distilleries, fewer than 5 wineries, and 50+ breweries contributing to the market’s development.

A particularly distinctive feature of Mississippi’s regulatory framework is its unique classification system—beer is not classified as an “alcoholic beverage” under local option laws and is regulated differently from distilled spirits and wine. Beer (defined as having no more than 8% alcohol by weight) and “light wine” with less than 5% alcohol by weight can be sold in grocery and convenience stores, while distilled spirits and most wines can only be purchased at state-licensed liquor stores.

Mississippi was the last state to repeal Prohibition in 1966, more than three decades after national Prohibition ended, and maintains a substantial number of counties and municipalities that restrict or ban alcohol sales entirely.

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

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

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

Consumption Trends In Mississippi

Mississippi Spirits Consumption from 2020-2024 by 9-Liter Cases

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

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

Mississippi State Alcohol Licensing

Mississippi operates as a control state with the Mississippi Department of Revenue’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) division overseeing spirits and wine distribution, while beer operates under separate regulations. The state maintains strict control over spirits and wine through the ABC system, while beer enjoys more open market distribution.

Common Licenses for Manufacturers in Mississippi

Spirits

• Manufacturer’s Permit (Class 1 Distiller’s/Rectifier’s) – Allows operation of a distillery, blending, bottling, and storage of spirits. Covers manufacturing, bottling, storage, and wholesale sales through the ABC for in-state distribution, plus authorized sales to out-of-state legal buyers.
• Distillery Retailer Permit – Required for selling spirits directly to consumers at the distillery (tasting room operations).

Wine

• Native Winery Permit – Required to produce wine in Mississippi as authorized by Section 67-1-51, Mississippi Code. Must register with the Secretary of State and obtain an annual renewal permit.

Beer

• Manufacturer’s Permit for Beer – Required for brewing, manufacturing, distributing, and selling beer in Mississippi. Must post surety bond ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 based on expected excise tax liability.
• Brewpub License – For businesses combining brewing with on-premises retail sales.
• Package Retailer License – Required for selling beer in sealed containers for off-premises consumption.

Out-of-State Brand Requirements

Spirits

• Wholesale Sales Through Mississippi ABC – Out-of-state suppliers must register with Mississippi ABC and submit brands/products for approval. All spirits must be sold through the Mississippi ABC distribution. Local representation/brokers with solicitors’ permits recommended.

Wine

• Wine Fulfillment Provider Permit – Third-party fulfillment houses handling wine shipments must obtain this permit ($100 annually).
• Wine Manufacturer’s/Producer’s Permit – For wholesale/retail sales, producers must register brands with Mississippi ABC. Wines over 5% alcohol by weight must be sold through Mississippi ABC as sole wholesale distributor.

Beer

• Beer Shipper Class T Permit – Authorizes out-of-state beer producers to ship beer only to licensed Mississippi beer wholesalers for further distribution. Direct sales to retailers or consumers are prohibited.
• Federal Brewer’s Notice – Must hold a valid federal Brewer’s Notice from TTB to manufacture and ship beer interstate.

Mississippi State Alcohol Regulations

Price Posting in Mississippi

All wine and distilled spirits are sold only through the state-controlled system. Prices must be submitted on quotation forms, one form per brand/type. Forms can be requested from the Office of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC).

Brand/Label Registration Requirements

There is no cost to register labels with the ABC.

Direct-to-Consumer Sales and Delivery

Wine

• Direct Wine Shipper Permit – Effective July 1, 2025 – In-state and out-of-state wineries may ship up to 12 nine-liter cases per year, per resident, directly to consumers. Annual fee $100. All packages must be labeled “CONTAINS ALCOHOL: SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21 YEARS OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY.” Shipments to dry counties are prohibited.

Spirits

• Direct Shipper Permit – Out-of-state producers may ship up to 9 nine-liter cases per household per calendar year directly to Mississippi residents. Cannot ship products already available through ABC Division or to dry areas. Quarterly reporting required.

Retailer Delivery

No package retail permittee may sell or deliver alcoholic beverages except at their place of business, unless they hold a delivery service permit or use a delivery service permittee. Any individual, LLC, corporation, or partnership registered to do business in the state may obtain a delivery service permit. The annual fee is $500.00, and the permittee must provide proof of general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence. Holders of on-premise retailer permits, package retailer permits, or beer, light wine, and light spirit product permits may apply for delivery service permits as a separate privilege.

Mississippi Spirits Volume By Category – 2024 Data

Spirit trends in Mississippi by volume and dollar sales in 2024.

Source: Beverage Information Group

Mississippi Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data

Wine trends in Mississippi by volume sales in 2023

Source: Beverage Information Group

Mississippi Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2023 Data

Beer trends in Mississippi by volume sales in 2023

Source: Beverage Information Group

Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Mississippi

Below you will find an updated list of the top distributors located in the state of Mississippi. Need more info on the many distributors of alcohol throughout the U.S.? Check out the full list of distributors or fill out the contact form provided.

Wholesale or Control State Customers in this market

Selling Alcohol In Mississippi

In the state of Mississippi, all alcohol is controlled by the Alcoholic Beverage Control also known as ABC. Should you need more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

FAQs on Mississippi Beer, Wine & Spirits Sales

Buying Alcohol In Mississippi – Hours, Locations & Taxes

The laws for purchasing alcohol in Mississippi are very different from other states. Please ask more questions should you not find what you’re looking for below.

FAQs on Buying Beer, Wine & Liquor in Mississippi

(Data Sources – wikipedia.org, dor.ms.gov, sos.ms.gov)

At Park Street, we provide services to thousands of clients looking to expand their reach and improve their processes. Services provided include, but are not limited to accounting, alcohol compliance, logistics, and more. If you’re looking to grow your brand and focus on marketing while we do the rest, then please reach out to us!