Tucson Series 1 In-State Producer License (Brewery, Winery, Distillery) – Tucson Series 1 License
Entrepreneurs in Tucson who want to manufacture beer, wine, or distilled spirits in Arizona need a Series 1 In-State Producer license from the DLLC. Tucson's growing craft beverage industry—with breweries and craft producers in the Warehouse Arts District, the Iron Horse neighborhood, and throughout Pima County—makes the Series 1 In-State Producer license the key permit for entrepreneurs wanting to manufacture and sell beer, wine, or spirits in Southern Arizona's cultural and culinary hub. The Series 1 authorizes the production, bottling or packaging, and sale of beer, wine, or spirits to licensed Arizona wholesalers and, under certain provisions, directly to consumers at the licensed production premises or at licensed remote tasting rooms. It is a non-quota license with no population cap, available through direct DLLC application. Series 1 licensees may sell their products for on-premises consumption at the production facility, subject to applicable tasting room provisions, and may sell to licensed retailers directly in certain circumstances under Arizona's producer-direct provisions.
What the Series 1 License Authorizes in Tucson
A Series 1 license in Tucson generally allows you to:
• Produce (brew, ferment, or distill) beer, wine, or spirits at a licensed Arizona manufacturing facility
• Sell produced beverages to licensed Arizona wholesalers for distribution through the three-tier system
• Sell beer, wine, or spirits directly to consumers for on-premises consumption at the production facility under applicable tasting room provisions
• Apply for Remote Tasting Room (Series 19) licenses at up to two off-site locations
Is a Series 1 License Right for Your Tucson Business?
A Series 1 license may be the right fit if:
• Your Tucson concept is a production brewery, craft winery, craft distillery, or combination producer that manufactures alcohol on-site
• You want to manufacture your own branded products and sell them through Arizona's distribution system and directly to consumers at your taproom
• Your business model centers on craft production rather than retail distribution of third-party products
• You want the flexibility to operate on-site tasting and retail alongside your production operation
How Liquor License Agents Helps Series 1 Applicants and Buyers in Tucson
Opening a brewery, winery, or distillery in Tucson involves the Series 1 DLLC license, federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approval, local zoning and building approvals from Pima County and Tucson, and compliance with Arizona's three-tier distribution rules. Liquor License Agents assists by:
• Advising on the correct licensing structure for your specific production concept in Tucson—whether a brewery, winery, distillery, or combination producer
• Assisting with preparation of the DLLC Series 1 application and all required supporting documentation
• Advising on federal TTB approval requirements (Brewer's Notice, Winery Permit, or DSP) and how to sequence federal and state applications
• Coordinating with Pima County and Tucson local authorities on zoning, building, health, and operational approvals for your production facility
• Advising on Arizona's three-tier distribution system requirements and direct-to-consumer sales provisions for producers
• Helping you understand the Series 19 Remote Tasting Room license as a tool for expanding your retail footprint beyond the production facility
Our goal is to keep license work in sync with your lease, build-out, and opening timeline so your alcohol permissions are not the last piece to fall into place.
Tucson Series 1 License FAQs
What is a Series 1 In-State Producer license and do I need one to open a brewery in Tucson?
A Series 1 license is Arizona's manufacturer license for producers of beer, wine, and spirits. If you want to brew beer, ferment wine, or distill spirits in Tucson and sell the resulting products, you need a Series 1 license from the DLLC. You will also need the corresponding federal permit from the TTB (a Brewer's Notice for beer, a Winery Permit for wine, or a Distilled Spirits Plant permit for spirits) before you can legally commence production.
Can I sell my beer or spirits directly to customers at my Tucson brewery or distillery?
Yes, within limits. Series 1 licensees in Arizona may sell their produced beverages for on-premises consumption at the licensed production facility under the tasting room provisions of Arizona law. Direct retail sales to consumers for off-premises consumption are also permitted in certain quantities and circumstances. We advise clients on the specific on-premises and off-premises sales privileges available to their producer license type.
Can I open a tasting room at a location separate from my production facility in Tucson?
Yes. Arizona's Series 19 Remote Tasting Room license allows existing Series 1, Series 13 (Farm Winery), or Series 18 (Craft Distillery) licensees to sell and sample their own products at up to two off-site locations. This gives producers the ability to expand their retail presence in Tucson or elsewhere in Arizona without relocating or duplicating their production facility.
Is the Series 1 license subject to quota restrictions in Tucson?
No. The Series 1 is a non-quota license with no population-based cap in Pima County. Qualifying producers apply directly through the DLLC. However, as a manufacturer, you must also comply with federal TTB requirements and obtain the appropriate federal permit before your state license can be activated.
What local approvals does a brewery or distillery need in Tucson beyond the DLLC license?
Operating a production facility in Tucson typically requires zoning that permits manufacturing or industrial uses, Pima County and city business licensing, building permits for brewing or distilling equipment installation, health department approvals for any food service component, and fire department review of production equipment and storage. We help coordinate these approvals alongside the DLLC application process.
How long does it take to get a Series 1 license and open a brewery or distillery in Tucson?
The timeline involves both DLLC licensing (65 to 105 days for the state application) and TTB federal approval, local zoning and building permits, equipment installation, and any required inspections. Opening a brewery or distillery in Tucson from initial application to first legal sale typically takes six months to over a year depending on the complexity of your build-out and the speed of local approvals.
Schedule an Appointment | (800) 799-9081
If you are opening, acquiring, or planning a business in Tucson that needs a Series 1 license, call (800) 799-9081 to schedule an appointment and review your options, local requirements, and next steps with an experienced advisor.