Brewers, Are You Using UPCs?

If your brewery is selling beer at retail — whether in cans, bottles, kegs, 6-packs, or cases — UPC codes are an important part of getting your products market-ready.

What Is a UPC?

A UPC (Universal Product Code) is the 12-digit barcode found on retail products. These codes help retailers and distributors quickly identify products during checkout, inventory management, and sales tracking.

UPCs make it easier for stores to:

• Scan products at checkout

• Track inventory accurately

• Monitor sales performance

• Differentiate products by flavor, size, or packaging type

That means your IPA in a 16 oz can needs a different UPC than the same beer in a 6-pack or keg format.

Why UPCs Matter for Breweries

As your products enter more retail environments, UPCs become essential for smooth operations throughout the supply chain. Retailers often require them before bringing products into stores, and distributors rely on them for inventory and logistics management.

Having the correct UPCs in place helps avoid delays, confusion, and inventory issues once your beer hits shelves.

What Brewers Need to Do

Before printing labels or packaging for a new product, make sure you secure the appropriate UPC codes.

A few important reminders:

• Each unique product variation requires its own UPC

• Different package sizes need separate codes

• New flavors or seasonal releases should have unique UPCs

• Purchase codes before finalizing label or packaging design

UPCs can be purchased through authorized providers such as GS1 US or approved resellers.