Setting up shop

[graysalchemy]

In fairness having read the first 3 sections it is very clear that if you are not going to exceed making 7000l in a 12 month period you are exempt but you do have to submit a form in order be be exempt.

This government portal explaining the law is a lot clearer than trying to decipher the acts themselves. But there is a lot of guff before you find the relevant bit.

 

[shocker]

Fairness ? Dont you start going around being fair with them , the govt that is , GA , that just wouldnt be,.....well...fair :whistle:

 

[graysalchemy]

That is true but it is easier to read than the actual act and it does state quite clearly

3.1 Do I need to register?
Yes, if:

you make or propose to make cider for sale, and
your total production – including cider for your own consumption – in any rolling period of 12 consecutive months either exceeds 70 hectolitres (7000 litres), or is likely to do so.
You must also advise us if you render cider sparkling (see section 5), unless you intend to carry out this process in an Excise warehouse. You may produce cider and render cider sparkling on the same registered premises.

3.11 How do I claim exemption from registration?
You must complete form CP 33 (see section 28) and send it to the National Registration Unit (see paragraph 3.2 for address and phone number).

So as long as you are not or anticipate producing more than 7000l of cider in one 12 month period then you are exempt all you have to do is fill in a CP 33 form. Which is a very simple form wher you basically have to give you name and address and sign a declaration that you are not going to produce more than 7000l.

By The way the definition of cider is

2.1 What is cider?
In the Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979, 'cider' is defined as 'cider or perry of a strength exceeding 1.2 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV) but less than 8.5 per cent ABV obtained from the fermentation of apple or pear juice without the addition at any time of any alcoholic liquor or of any liquor or substance which communicates colour or flavour other than such as the Commissioners may allow as appearing to them to be necessary to make cider or perry' – see paragraph 5.5 and section 25.

I'm no lawyer but to me it is quite simple.

Now on top of that you will have to have all the relevant food hygiene stuff and possible planning permission or change of use for the premises that you are planning on brewing in, but having said that I think this has been discussed earlier on in the year with regard to someone wanting to open a micro brewery in their house and a member who was a planning officer gave advice on the matter.