If you're running a brewery or winery, you already know that insurance can feel like one more thing on an impossibly long to-do list. But here's the reality: the moment you open your doors to customers, host a tasting event, or deliver kegs to a local restaurant, you're exposed to liability risks that could wipe out everything you've built. General liability insurance is your financial safety net for those "what if" moments—and in the food and beverage industry, those moments happen more often than you'd think.
Whether a customer slips on a wet floor in your tasting room, a faulty growler causes property damage, or someone claims your event damaged their equipment, general liability insurance steps in to cover legal fees, medical bills, and settlements. For breweries and wineries, it's not just smart business—it's often a requirement from landlords, venues, and distributors who won't work with you without proof of coverage.
What Does General Liability Insurance Cover?
General liability insurance protects your brewery or winery from claims that your business caused bodily injury, property damage, or personal injury to a third party. Let's break down what that actually means in practice.
Bodily injury coverage kicks in when someone gets hurt on your premises or because of your operations. Think of a customer who trips over a keg dolly in your tasting room and breaks their ankle, or a vendor who slips on spilled beer during a delivery. Your general liability policy covers their medical expenses and any legal costs if they sue. This also extends to product liability—if someone has an allergic reaction to an undisclosed ingredient in your beer or wine, or gets sick from contamination, your policy can help cover the resulting claims.
Property damage coverage protects you when your business operations damage someone else's property. Say you're setting up for a beer festival and accidentally knock over expensive sound equipment, or one of your employees damages a venue's flooring while moving barrels. General liability handles the repair or replacement costs. It also covers product-related property damage—like if a growler you sold explodes and damages a customer's car interior.
Personal and advertising injury coverage protects against claims of slander, libel, copyright infringement, or invasion of privacy. If a competitor claims your marketing materials copied their branding, or someone alleges you defamed them in social media posts, this coverage helps pay for your legal defense.
Standard Coverage Limits for Breweries and Wineries
The industry standard for general liability insurance is $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Here's what that means: your policy will pay up to $1 million for a single incident, and up to $2 million total for all claims during your policy period (usually one year).
These limits work for many small to mid-size breweries and wineries, but they're not one-size-fits-all. If you operate a large production facility, host frequent events with hundreds of attendees, or distribute widely, you may need higher limits. Some states have started implementing minimum requirements—South Carolina, for example, now requires businesses selling alcohol for on-premises consumption to carry at least $1 million in aggregate coverage as of January 2026.
Many brewery and winery owners also purchase umbrella or excess liability coverage, which provides an additional layer of protection above your base general liability limits. An umbrella policy typically adds another $1-5 million in coverage and is relatively affordable compared to the peace of mind it offers.
Why Certificates of Insurance Matter
Here's something that surprises many new brewery and winery owners: you'll be asked to provide certificates of insurance constantly. Landlords require them before you sign a lease. Event venues demand them before you can pour at festivals. Distributors want them before they'll carry your products. Even some larger retail accounts won't stock your bottles without proof of coverage.
A certificate of insurance (COI) is a one-page document that proves you have coverage and lists your policy limits and effective dates. Your insurance provider can generate these on demand, usually within a day. Many contracts require that the other party be listed as an "additional insured" on your general liability policy, which extends your coverage to protect them if they're named in a lawsuit related to your operations.
Getting into the habit of requesting COIs early—before you sign contracts or commit to events—saves you from last-minute scrambles. Some venues require 30 days' notice to add them as additional insureds, so plan ahead.
General Liability vs. Liquor Liability: What's the Difference?
This is where things get confusing, because both policies sound like they should cover the same risks. They don't. General liability covers claims related to your premises, operations, and products. Liquor liability specifically covers claims related to serving alcohol—like if a customer gets intoxicated at your tasting room, leaves, and causes a car accident.
Most states require breweries and wineries that serve alcohol on-premises to carry liquor liability insurance—it's not optional. Even if you only sell packaged products and don't operate a tasting room, some landlords and contracts still require it. Federal law also mandates liquor liability coverage for businesses that sell alcohol.
The good news is that many insurance providers bundle general liability and liquor liability together in packages designed specifically for breweries and wineries. This often comes out cheaper than buying the policies separately and ensures there are no coverage gaps.
How Much Does General Liability Insurance Cost?
The honest answer is: it varies. A small microbrewery producing a few hundred barrels a year will pay significantly less than a large winery with multiple tasting rooms and national distribution. Costs can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per month, depending on your specific situation.
Factors that affect your premium include your annual revenue, the size of your facility, whether you have a tasting room or taproom, how many events you host, your location, your claims history, and the coverage limits you choose. Businesses in high-traffic tourist areas or those that host large events typically pay more because their risk exposure is higher.
Many insurers offer Business Owner's Policies (BOPs) that bundle general liability with commercial property insurance at a discounted rate. If you own or lease your facility and need to insure your equipment and inventory anyway, a BOP often makes financial sense.
Getting Started with Coverage
The best time to get general liability insurance is before you need it. Ideally, you'll have coverage in place before you sign a lease, receive your first shipment of equipment, or open your doors to customers. Most insurance providers can bind coverage quickly—sometimes within 24-48 hours if you provide the necessary information.
Work with an insurance agent or broker who specializes in breweries, wineries, or hospitality businesses. They'll understand the unique risks you face and can help you avoid common coverage gaps. Be prepared to provide details about your operations, including your production volume, distribution channels, whether you operate a tasting room, how often you host events, and your projected annual revenue.
Don't just buy the cheapest policy you find. Review what's actually covered, what the exclusions are, and whether the limits are adequate for your business. Ask about bundling options, available discounts, and whether the insurer has experience handling claims in your industry. The goal isn't to save $50 a month on premiums—it's to have solid protection when something goes wrong.
