Indiana Alcohol Beverage Law Guide

Comprehensive Reference for Alcohol Licensing, Regulation, Violations, and Liability in Indiana

This guide provides an overview of the state’s alcohol regulatory framework, including the governing agency, license/permit types, common violations, dram shop liability, local regulation authority, and key statutory references. This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes and consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.

Last reviewed: February 2026

Regulatory Overview

Regulatory System: License State

Governing Agency: Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC)
Website: https://www.in.gov/atc
Governing Law: Indiana Code Title 7.1 — Alcohol and Tobacco

License/Permit Types:

Retailer (on-premises consumption)
Package liquor store permit
Beer/wine retailer permit
Restaurant wine permit
Dealer permit (convenience/grocery)
Club permit
Brewery permit
Artisan distiller’s permit
Farm winery permit
Wholesaler/distributor permit
Caterer’s permit
Temporary beer/wine permit

Key Regulatory Features:

Package liquor store permits are strictly limited and extremely valuable (transferable, often worth $100,000+)
Indiana restricts Sunday alcohol sales with some exceptions (grocery/convenience stores can sell alcohol on Sundays)
Cold beer sales were previously restricted to package stores; the law was updated to allow grocery/convenience stores to sell cold beer
The three-tier system is strictly enforced
Local boards (city or county alcohol commissions) can approve or deny licenses

Common Violations:

Sale to minors
Sale to intoxicated persons
After-hours sales
Failure to maintain premises
Tied house violations

Dram Shop Liability: Yes. Indiana Code Section 7.1-5-10-15.5 allows civil actions against persons who furnish alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors when the furnishing is a proximate cause of injury.

Social Host Liability: Yes. Recognized for furnishing alcohol to minors and visibly intoxicated persons.

Local Regulation Authority: Local alcohol beverage boards (city and county) have authority to approve, renew, or deny local permits and may impose conditions.

Key Statutes: Ind. Code Title 7.1; Ind. Code Section 7.1-5-10-15.5 (dram shop)

Indiana Alcohol Beverage Law Attorneys

The following law firms and attorneys handle alcohol beverage law matters in Indiana. This list includes both state-specific specialists and national firms with Indiana coverage.

1. Bose McKinney & Evans LLP

Website: www.boselaw.com
Attorneys: Lisa McKinney, Esq., Alex Intermill, Esq.
Address: 111 Monument Circle, Ste. 2700, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-684-5000
Fax: 317-684-5173
Email: lmckinney@boselaw.com
NAABLA Member: Yes (2015)
Services:
Indiana Alcohol licensing
Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission proceedings
Regulatory compliance
License applications, transfers, and renewals
Administrative hearing representation

2. Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Website: www.taftlaw.com
Attorney: Mark Shublak, Esq.
Address: One Indiana Square, Suite 3500, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-713-9547
Fax: 317-713-3699
Email: MShublak@taftlaw.com
NAABLA Member: Yes (2021)
Services:
Indiana Alcohol licensing and Regulatory law
License applications and transfers
Idari islemler

3. Clark Hill PLC

Website: www.clarkhill.com | Phone: 202-772-0909 / 313-965-8300
Phone: 202-772-0909 / 313-965-8300 / 312-985-5900
Firm Type: International law firm; dedicated Alcohol Industry Group and Food & Beverage team; 100+ year firm history
Services:
Federal (TTB), state, and local license and permit acquisition, transfer, modification, and renewal in all 50 states
Three-tier system structuring and tied-house compliance
Production licensing (brewery, winery, distillery, cidery, food manufacturer)
Retail and hospitality licensing (grocery, restaurant, bar, hotel, casino, golf course, entertainment venue)
Import/export and international trade compliance
Distribution agreements and franchise law
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A), joint ventures, capital investments
Compliance and enforcement defense; audits
Alcohol advertising and labeling (TTB label approvals)
Intellectual property (trademark, patent, trade dress)
Litigation (real estate, antitrust, commercial contract, product liability)
Bankruptcy and asset acquisition consulting
Strategic planning, business formation, and expansion consulting
Legislative monitoring across the U.S.

4. Flaherty & O’Hara, P.C.

Website: www.flaherty-ohara.com | Phone: 412-456-2001 / 1-866-4BEVLAW
Phone: 412-456-2001 / Toll-free: 1-866-4BEVLAW (1-866-423-8529)
Firm Type: One of the largest liquor licensing firms in the U.S.; founded in 2001; 31 employees; serving all 50 states
Services:
Liquor licensing in all 50 states (retail, wholesale, manufacturing, import)
License applications, transfers, modifications, and renewals
M&A, IPO, and multi-unit transaction licensing consulting
Corporate restructuring license coordination
Tied-house and trade practice compliance consulting
National alcohol promotion and marketing legality assessment
Citation, hearing, and enforcement defense
Litigation and commercial dispute resolution
Liquor liability and restaurant/alcohol management seminars
Proprietary cloud-based renewal software
Legislative drafting and industry standards development

5. Husch Blackwell LLP

Website: www.huschblackwell.com
Address: 111 Monument Circle, Suite 900, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-536-1800
Firm Type: AmLaw 100 national law firm; dedicated Alcohol Beverage practice under Food Systems industry group; 12+ attorneys in alcohol beverage; 800+ attorneys firm-wide
Services:
M&A (craft brewery, distillery, winery acquisitions and divestitures; regulatory transaction consulting; due diligence)
State and federal licensing portfolio management; license acquisition, renewal, corporate updates
Labeling, packaging, and formula (TTB and FDA regulated products)
Marketing and advertising compliance (event marketing, influencer agreements, sweepstakes, cross-marketing)
Intellectual property (patent portfolio, trademark registration, TTAB proceedings)
Distributor and tied-house law (800+ distributor agreements; distributor termination disputes; state franchise laws)
Litigation (compliance audit-related, distributor termination, amicus briefs, trade association representation)
Securities, employment, ESG, international trade/supply chain
Cannabis and alcohol regulatory intersection

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does Indiana’s strict three-tier separation affect alcohol business structuring?

Indiana enforces strict three-tier separation: manufacturers, distributors, and retailers must generally operate as separate entities. An investor who owns a brewery cannot also own a bar outside the brewery’s own taproom privileges. Violations can result in license revocation for all parties involved. Entrepreneurs planning multi-faceted operations must structure carefully to maintain compliance.

Q: What are the specific rules for Sunday alcohol sales in Indiana, and how have they changed recently?

Indiana’s Sunday sales rules have undergone significant changes after being one of the last states to maintain a broad Sunday prohibition. Current law permits Sunday sales, but specific hours and conditions differ from weekday rules and vary by license type. On-premises establishments have different Sunday hours than off-premises retailers. Because rules have changed recently and continue to evolve, license holders should verify current rules for their specific license type.

Q: How does the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission handle enforcement and violation penalties?

The ATC enforces through routine inspections, complaint investigations, and targeted operations. Penalties range from reprimand letters for minor first offenses to fines, mandatory training, suspension, and revocation. Indiana licenses represent significant financial assets, particularly quota-limited permits worth tens of thousands on the secondary market. Voluntary compliance measures taken before hearings, such as staff retraining, can mitigate penalties.

Disclaimer

This guide is intended as a general informational reference only and does not constitute legal advice. Alcohol laws are complex, vary significantly between jurisdictions, and change frequently through legislation, regulation, and court decisions. The information provided here may not reflect the most current legal developments.

Always consult with a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction before making decisions based on this information. For current regulatory requirements, contact the appropriate state alcohol regulatory agency directly.