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

Washington presents a unique and highly flexible alcohol market that reflects the state’s revolutionary transition from control to private retail, as well as its distinctive direct distribution model. Washington voters approved Initiative 1183 in 2012, ending the state monopoly on spirits after 78 years of state-run retail and closing state liquor stores on June 1, 2012.

The Evergreen State operates as an open market under the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB), which provides comprehensive oversight of the only state in the nation with a fully private retail and distribution system that does not require use of a classic three-tier structure for alcohol. This creates an exceptionally flexible regulatory environment that supports both established brands and emerging craft producers.

Washington had an approximate population of 7.9 million people in 2024, with 5.9 million within the legal drinking age bracket. The state ranks 19th in distilled spirits consumption, with annual sales of approximately 5.7 million 9-liter cases.

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

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

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

Consumption Trends In Washington

The information displayed below showcases CAGR trends over the last five years in the state of Washington.

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

Washington Wine Consumption from 2020-2024 by 9-Liter Cases

Washington Beer Consumption from 2020-2024 by 9-Liter Cases

Washington State Alcohol Licensing

Washington operates as an open state with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (WSLCB) overseeing all aspects of alcohol regulation. Washington is a franchise state, providing protection for alcohol beverage distributors in their relationships with suppliers. The state’s post-privatization system allows direct distribution to retailers, making it uniquely flexible among U.S. alcohol markets.

Common Licenses for Manufacturers in Washington

Spirits

• Distillery License – Covers any spirits producer. Authorizes the manufacture, blending, bottling, and storage of spirits in Washington. Permits sales to WA-licensed distributors and certain retailers, sales to consumers for off-premises consumption in factory-sealed bottles from on-site tasting room, and on-premises samples in limited amounts per customer per day (typically a few 0.5-1 oz tastes).
• Craft Distillery License – Limited to a relatively small annual production cap with a requirement to source a high percentage of raw materials from within Washington to qualify for additional privileges and lower fees. Provides the same basic privileges as a standard distillery license.

Wine

• Washington State Winery License – Authorizes production and bottling of wine in Washington. Permits acting as distributor and retailer of its own wine anywhere in the state. Allows wine sales for on-premises consumption (tasting room) and off-premises consumption (bottle sales) from licensed premises. May sell at up to four additional retail locations with board approval. May sell at qualifying farmers’ markets with endorsement (WA grapes/WA agricultural products requirement).

Beer

• Brewery/Microbrewery License – Authorizes the manufacture of beer in Washington. Permits self-distribution of own production to licensed WA retailers (no separate distributor license needed). Allows retail sales (tasting room) for on- and off-premises consumption, subject to endorsement and local approvals. May sell beer produced by other breweries and contract-brew beer for brand owners if properly structured.

Out-of-State Brand Requirements

Spirits

• Distiller Certificate of Approval (Spirits Out-of-State COA) – Issued by WSLCB as “out-of-state non-retail license.” Authorizes U.S. distilleries located outside Washington to sell and ship spirits into Washington’s licensed system. With this COA, WA spirits distributors or certain retail licensees can legally purchase spirits directly from the out-of-state distillery. Without it, WA licensees must purchase through another properly licensed supplier.

Wine

• Wine Certificate of Approval (Wine COA) – Washington’s non-retail license for out-of-state wineries. Authorizes out-of-state producers to sell and ship wine into WA’s licensed distribution/retail network. Allows sales to WA distributors/importers and, in many cases, direct sales to WA retailers. Must comply with WA brand registration, price posting (where applicable), and excise-tax reporting for in-state shipments.
• Wine Shipper Permit/DtC Endorsement – Washington is a permit state (not reciprocity). Any U.S. winery licensed in its home state may apply. As of mid-2025, DtC shipper permit fee increased to $150 (up from $100). If already holding Wine COA, add shipper-to-consumer endorsement; the endorsement itself is low- or no-fee, but COA must be in place.

Beer

• Distribution Agreements – Out-of-state brewers generally do not need a Washington “manufacturer” license if selling FOB at their facility to a Washington-licensed beer distributor and not self-distributing to Washington retailers. Must execute distribution agreements with one or more Washington-licensed beer distributors, register labels/brands, meet Washington registration and price posting requirements (usually done with distributor or compliance vendor), and ensure distributor handles Washington excise tax filings and monthly reports.

Washington State Alcohol Regulations

Price Posting in Washington

Price posting is not required.

Excise Tax Rates

• Wine (table wine ≤14% ABV): $0.87/gallon
• Wine (higher-alcohol wine >14% ABV): $1.72/gallon (fortified/higher-alcohol wine)
• Beer: $0.26/gallon
• Spirits: Washington’s spirits tax burden comes from a percentage tax on the selling price plus a volume (per-liter) tax, which together produce the highest effective spirits excise rate in the country

Brand/Label Registration Requirements

Wine: Application should be submitted to the LCB’s website portal.

Malt Beverages: Submit a copy of the WA LCB form LIQ 231.

Distilled Spirits: The regulations are silent regarding label registration for distilled spirits.

Direct-to-Consumer Sales

Wine

• Wine Shipper’s Permit – Holders of wine manufacturing licenses issued by Washington or another state may ship wine of their own manufacture to any Washington resident 21 or older for personal use and not for resale. No limit on the amount of wine that can be shipped to a Washington consumer. Out-of-state wine manufacturers must first obtain a Wine Shipper’s Permit from WSLCB.

Spirits

• Direct-to-consumer shipping is not permitted. Sales limited to on-premises at licensed distilleries in factory-sealed bottles.

Beer

• Breweries may self-distribute to licensed WA retailers and sell directly from tasting rooms for on- and off-premises consumption.

Retailer Delivery

Off-Premise Retailers – Spirit retailers, grocery stores, and wine specialty shop licensees may accept orders to deliver factory-sealed containers of the alcoholic beverages the licensee may legally sell.

On-Premise Retailers – Licensees with Takeout Endorsement and/or Off-Premises Endorsement may sell alcoholic beverages to consumers for off-premises consumption. Takeout Endorsement allows restaurant and tavern licensees to provide, with a meal purchase, alcoholic beverages in manufacturer-sealed containers, premixed wine drinks, and spirits premixed cocktails.

Washington Spirits Volume Sales By Category – 2024 Data

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

Source: Beverage Information Group

Washington Wine Volume Sales By Category – 2024 Data

See below for the wine trends in Washington by volume sales in 2024.

Source: Beverage Information Group

Washington Beer Volume Sales By Category – 2024 Data

Beer trends in Washington by volume sales in 2024

Source: Beverage Information Group

Alcoholic Beverage Distributors Located In Washington

The United States operates under a strict three-tier system when it comes to selling alcohol. The “middle tier” of the industry consists of wholesalers or importers. These businesses receive products from the lower tier, which consists of suppliers and manufacturers. They then sell the products to distributors, who sell them to retailers. The retailers then sell to consumers. All sales must take place within the three-tier system in the United States.

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

Wine & Spirits Distributors