USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series: Class 33 – Alcoholic Beverages

Welcome back to our USPTO Trademark Classes Blog Series, where we break down each trademark class to help business owners and brand creators protect their intellectual property.

In this installment, we’re focusing on Trademark Class 33, which covers alcoholic beverages including wine, spirits, hard seltzers, and liqueurs. If you’re launching or managing a brand in the alcohol industry, this is the trademark class you’ll want to get familiar with.

If you’ve ever asked, “Can I trademark my wine label?” or “How do I protect my whiskey brand?”, this guide will help clarify whether Class 33 is the right fit for your products.

What is Trademark Class 33?

Trademark Class 33 covers alcoholic beverages that are not classified as beer (beer falls under Class 32). It includes distilled spirits, wines, cocktails, liqueurs, and flavored alcoholic drinks.

Some examples of goods that fall under Class 33 include:

• Wines: Red wine, white wine, rosé, sparkling wine, port

• Spirits and Liquors: Vodka, gin, rum, tequila, whiskey, brandy

• Liqueurs and Aperitifs: Cream liqueurs, herbal digestifs, vermouth

• Premixed Alcoholic Beverages: Ready-to-drink cocktails, alcoholic punches

• Flavored Alcoholic Beverages: Hard lemonade, hard iced tea, fruit-infused spirits

If your product is an alcoholic beverage other than beer, Trademark Class 33 is likely the correct classification.

Why Trademark Class 33 Matters for Your Business

The alcohol industry is one of the most brand-driven and heavily regulated markets. Registering a trademark under Class 33 helps protect your identity and investment in a competitive space.

Here’s why it matters:

1. Avoids brand confusion – With thousands of wines and spirits in the marketplace, a trademark helps you stand out and prevent name duplication.

2. Prevents imitation and counterfeit products – Trademarks are your first line of defense against unauthorized knockoffs and label lookalikes.

3. Builds consumer recognition and loyalty – From labels to logos to bottle shapes, a registered trademark helps build a recognizable identity.

4. Supports expansion and distribution – Whether you're entering new markets, launching sub-labels, or licensing your brand, a trademark in Class 33 is foundational.

Examples of Trademarks in Class 33

Many of the world’s leading beverage brands are registered under Trademark Class 33. Here are just a few examples:

1. Jack Daniel’s® – Covers whiskey and other distilled spirits

2. Patrón® – Registered for tequila and tequila-based products

3. Veuve Clicquot® – Protects its name for champagne and sparkling wine

   
   

These companies use their trademarks to protect label designs, brand names, packaging, and signature cocktail kits.

Do You Need a Trademark Search Before Filing in Class 33?

A comprehensive trademark search is strongly recommended before applying in Class 33. This industry has a high concentration of similar-sounding names, and enforcement is common.

At Brand Diplomacy, we help clients:

• Search the USPTO database to find similar names or conflicts

• Assess risk and registrability to avoid costly rejections or disputes

• Develop a filing strategy to protect multiple product lines or co-brands

How to Determine if Class 33 is Right for Your Trademark

Ask yourself the following to determine if Class 33 applies:

1. Is your product an alcoholic beverage that isn’t beer?

   • Spirits, wine, hard seltzer, and mixed drinks fall under Class 33

   • Beer, cider, and non-alcoholic drinks belong in Class 32

2. Is your brand name used on labels, bottles, or packaging?

   • Logos, slogans, and product names should be registered in Class 33

3. Does your product overlap with other classes?

   • Common related classes include:

     • Class 32 for beer or non-alcoholic versions of alcoholic beverages

     • Class 35 for retail or bar services

     • Class 43 for hospitality and tasting room services

   
   

If your brand touches multiple sectors, multi-class filings might be the best route.

How Brand Diplomacy Can Help

At Brand Diplomacy, we work with entrepreneurs, craft distillers, wineries, and global beverage companies to secure trademarks that grow with their business.

Our services include:

• Trademark clearance to identify risks before you file

• Application filing for Class 33 and related categories

• Specimen and label review to meet USPTO requirements

• Trademark monitoring and enforcement to defend your rights

Whether you’re creating a small-batch gin or launching a national seltzer brand, we’re here to help you protect it.

Contact us today to get started with your Class 33 trademark registration.

What’s Next in Our Trademark Class Series?

Thanks for exploring Trademark Class 33: Alcoholic Beverages with us! Up next, we’ll dive into Trademark Class 34: Tobacco and Smokers’ Articles, which includes cigars, cigarettes, vapes, and related products.

Stay tuned as we continue our journey through the USPTO trademark classes, helping you make confident, informed decisions for your brand.