Brook Bristow

About Brook Bristow

I’m The Attorney at Lager® — a food and beverage lawyer who’s spent the past 12+ years…

Experience

1. Managing Attorney

   Bristow Beverage Law

   Dec 2015 — Present · SC, US

   I built a boutique practice dedicated to helping alcohol and food brands thrive in one of the most creatively rewarding — and heavily regulated — industries in the country.I serve as outside and fractional general counsel to beverage companies, and alcohol-adjacent CPG startups. Whether they’re launching their first SKU or scaling across state lines, I help them manage legal risk, stay compliant, and make smart business moves.What I do (in plain terms):Navigate federal and state alcohol laws (TTB, FDA, and ABCs in all 50 states).Handle licensing, permitting, and compliance strategy — from basic applications to multi-entity portfolios.Draft, review, and negotiate commercial agreements (distribution, co-pack, licensing, talent, supply, sponsorship, IP).Advise on risk and dispute resolution.Guide M&A, restructurings, and ownership transitions (buyouts, successions, investor rounds).Support internal SOPs and regulatory policies for operations, labeling, and marketing teams.Weigh in on everything from NIL agreements to zoning issues for goats at breweries — yes, really.My approach blends industry fluency, practical business sense, and clear communication. I work cross-functionally with leadership, sales, ops, marketing, and quality teams to get things done right — and fast.Client outcomes include:National launches of ready-to-drink (RTD) and spirits products.Licensing and compliance build-outs across 30+ states.Clean exits and acquisitions for breweries and distilleries.Long-term partnerships with companies that now treat me as part of the team.I built this firm to support people doing creative, meaningful work in a space I care about — and I’m proud to be a part of that story.

Education

• Whitefield Academy

  High School Diploma

• University of South Carolina

  B.A., Advertising

  1998 — 2003

• Mercer University - Walter F. George School of Law

  J.D.

  2004 — 2007

Skills

• Brewery Law
• Social Media Marketing
• Litigation
• Research
• Commercial Litigation
• Westlaw
• Distribution Agreements
• Legislation
• Legal Research
• Operating Agreements
• Appeals
• Marketing Communications
• Craft Beer
• Alcohol Licensing
• Craft Beer Law
• Social Media
• Licensing
• Beer Law
• Intellectual Property
• Beer
• Public Speaking
• Alcoholic Beverage Law
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Trials
• Personal Injury
• Legal Writing
• Civil Litigation
• Courts