Which federal agency is primarily responsible for regulating the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States?

The federal agency primarily responsible for regulating the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States is the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). The TTB is a bureau within the United States Department of the Treasury. Its primary responsibilities include enforcing federal laws and regulations related to alcohol and tobacco products. Specifically, the TTB oversees the permitting and licensing of alcohol producers and importers, ensures compliance with labeling requirements, collects excise taxes on alcohol products, and investigates violations of federal alcohol laws. The TTB also sets standards of identity for different types of alcoholic beverages, defining what constitutes whiskey, gin, vodka, and other spirits. While the TTB is the primary federal agency, individual states also have their own alcohol beverage control (ABC) agencies that regulate the distribution and sale of alcohol within their respective borders. Therefore, alcohol producers and sellers must comply with both federal and state regulations. The TTB's regulatory authority ensures that alcoholic beverages are produced, labeled, and taxed in accordance with federal law, protecting consumers and ensuring the collection of revenue.