The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is expanding its list of exemptions from the formula requirements for brewery products made with certain ingredients by exempting 24 additional ingredients. The exemption of was in responds to two petitions filed by the Brewers Association (BA) requesting further exemptions from formula requirements.
Industry Circular 2024-2 specifically exempts the following ingredients to its formula exemptions; Almonds, Bananas, Beets, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cucumbers, Dandelion Leaves/Greens, Dill, Dragon Fruit, Elderberries, Guava, Hazelnuts, Lavender, Lychee Fruit, Rhubarb, Rose Hip, Spruce, Tea and Walnuts.
In general, brewers who intend to produce products with non-traditional ingredients or processes must obtain approval of the product’s formula before doing so. TTB regulations require brewers to obtain formula approval under certain circumstances, including when “any fruit, fruit juice, fruit concentrate, herbs, spices, honey, maple syrup, or other food materials will be added.”
However, TTB may exempt ingredients and processes under certain conditions. TTB has listed the ingredients and processes it has exempted under this provision in prior TTB rulings, the last being TTB Ruling 2015–1, which added over 50 ingredients.