Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 182nd issue of Craft Spirits Weekly , a service dedicated to bringing you the news most important to the craft spirits distiller. Check your inbox every Thursday to find a curated selection of articles and news pieces from Craft Spirits magazine and the American Craft Spirits Association.

While this is normally a members-only benefit, we are distributing this newsletter to all DSPs as a public service during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also offering a 15-month membership for the price of 12 months (existing members will receive an additional three months). If you are not a member, learn more about joining here .
Join Us for the Craft Spirits Virtual Summit
As COVID-19 continues to upend daily routines, we are well aware that the pandemic is also taking a toll on the financial health of many craft distilleries. That’s just one reason why we are offering a significantly discounted rate for our upcoming Craft Spirits Virtual Summit: A New Journey. Please join us Aug. 11-12 for this engaging, innovative online summit, when we will unite—from the safety and comfort of our homes and craft distilleries—for a program tailored for these times. 

Beyond savings, why should you join us for the Craft Spirits Virtual Summit?

  • Opportunities to network with suppliers, fellow distillers and friends in the industry
  • Educational presentations designed and led by industry experts for the current and post-COVID-19 world
  • A virtual trade show floor and the ability to connect with suppliers at their booths
Colorado Extends To-Go Alcohol and Cocktails Until July 2021
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis last week signed a measure extending alcohol and cocktails to-go for local distilleries, restaurants and bars in Colorado until July 1, 2021 in an effort to support the state’s struggling hospitality industry during COVID-19. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Attention Voting Members: Have you voted for ACSA's Board of Directors?
ACSA's Board of Directors elections will close at midnight on Tuesday, July 21. If you are an eligible voting member and have not received a ballot, please contact Carason Lehmann , ACSA's Member Services & Social Media Coordinator. To learn more about the process and the candidates, click here .
Deadline Looms to Comment on Tariffs
When you speak, and speak LOUDLY, our government listens. If you export or import, PLEASE continue reading and be prepared to speak up. As you likely know, we are caught up in a trade war that has very little to do with the products we make. This is and has been true with the U.S. Airbus dispute. As a result, for those who currently make and sell American whiskeys to the EU, there is a 25% tariff for the price of entry into that market.  

Guess what? There is more to come unless we make our voices heard. 

We previously alerted you about the United State Trade Representative (USTR)  request for comments  specific to the Review of Action: Enforcement of U.S. WTO Rights in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute.  Comments  are due by July 26. 
  
Since there is serious discussion about adding more tariffs, including those from the spirits sector, your stories matter. A lot. The Administration and the USTR need to hear directly from you with stories on just how your small business is impacted. Send your  comments and tell your story  about the negative impact on tariffs or even the THREAT of tariffs on alcoholic beverages. Tell our USTR to keep our manufactured goods outside larger trade disputes. Let your voice be heard! 

For questions contact:  legislation@americancraftspirits.org .
Du Nord's Chris Montana: Building a Culture of Inclusion
Du Nord Craft Spirits founder and ACSA past president Chris Montana shares his personal experiences with racial divisions in America, and urges all in the craft distilling community to unite against systemic racism. ( Craft Spirits magazine)
Catoctin Creek to Release 7 Y.O. Bottled in Bond Brandy for Online Orders
Catoctin Creek will release the newest expression of its 1757 Virginia Brandy—this time, a seven-year-old, bottled-in-bond offering—on Monday, August 3 at 8 a.m. ET for online ordering only. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
St. George Continues Virtual Tastings; Announces Distribution News
St. George Spirits  of Alameda, California, will continue hosting a series of virtual tours and tastings this summer. Master distiller Lance Winters and head distiller Dave Smith will be hosting live broadcasts from the distillery every other Wednesday at 5 p.m. PDT for the remainder of July and August. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Caledonia Spirits Joins Thirstie to Bring Spirits to Online Consumers
Vermont-based distiller  Caledonia Spirits  announced Tuesday that it has partnered with  Thirstie, Inc ., an industry leader in e-commerce and logistics solutions for beverage alcohol brands, to launch its first-ever online spirits store. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
TTB Issues Reminder About Postponed Tax Filings, Payments Due
In a special edition of its newsletter on Monday, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued a reminder about postponed tax filings and payments due. TTB also included advice and resources for businesses that are currently unable to pay the amount of taxes owed. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram
Join ACSA for Craft Spirits Live, our new Instagram Live show. In each episode, a leading craft spirits producer invites us into their distillery for 30 minutes of engaging conversation and a virtual tour—as well as an opportunity to answer all of your burning questions.

UPCOMING GUESTS

July 16: Jessica Lemmon, Cart/Horse Distilling Co. (Special Time: 5:30 p.m. ET)
July 21: Tanya Smith, Driftless Glen Distillery
July 22: Jeff Kanof, Copperworks Distilling Co.
August 5: Gabe Spencer, Whistling Andy Distillery

Not sure how Instagram Live works? Click here to learn more.
Copperworks Limited Edition Tonic Cask Finished Gin Returns
Copperworks Distilling Co.  of Seattle this week announced the return of Copperworks Tonic Cask Finished Gin. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Park Street Features ACSA CEO in Latest Podcast
In the latest episode of the Park Street Insider Podcast, ACSA CEO Margie A.S. Lehrman speaks about modernizing state spirit laws to address the economic impact of the pandemic, the evolution of the craft spirits category, as well as the structure and growth of ACSA under her guidance.
Reminder: Importance of Registering Sanitizer
Recently, ACSA leadership met with the FDA and the biggest takeaways were the importance of following current FDA guidelines and the necessity  to register  if you are producing hand sanitizer, packaging or labeling for distribution (either for sale or donation). You must also register with the FDA if you are manufacturing ethanol for use by others in making sanitizer.

If you believe a distillery is producing or distributing hand sanitizer or ethanol in a manner that is inconsistent with recent federal regulations and guidelines published for use during the COVID-19 public health emergency, please click here .

And if you haven't already added your distillery to our list of DSPs producing hand sanitizers, click here .
Watershed Kitchen & Bar Will Remain Closed Until 2021
Watershed Kitchen & Bar will remain closed for dining until at least the end of the year, the company announced this week. The restaurant shared the news of its prolonged closure in a wistful post on Instagram featuring a photo of the empty dining room. Watershed Distillery, the company said, will continue to make gin, bourbon and other spirits, and its bottle shop will continue to offer curbside service. (Columbus Monthly)
Dry Fly Adds Huckleberry Lemonade to Canned Cocktail Lineup
Joining  Dry Fly Distilling’s  already delicious lineup of Gin and Tonic, Moscow Mule and Spicy Lemonade is the highly anticipated Huckleberry Lemonade. It’s a Pacific Northwest favorite and it is coming soon to a retailer near you. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
The Family Jones Wins Meeting and Hospitality Award
The Family Jones of Denver and Loveland, Colorado, was recently honored by the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Rocky Mountain Chapter. The distillery won the Meeting and Hospitality Award of Excellence (for meetings under 50 in attendance), for its MPI after 5 Networking event, which took place in October of 2019. The meeting brought together hospitality professionals from all over the Rocky Mountain region. The event was nominated by members and voted upon by the nomination committee. Family Jones master distiller Rob Masters is pictured above with the award.
Johnny Pickles Distillery Secures Location in Texas
On July 7, the Seguin City Council of Texas officially sold the Old Fire Station on North Austin Street to Jen and Nate Forman. Their story began in September 2019 when they got a development code change approved by city council. The property has been transferred and Johnny Pickles Distillery is on its way. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Members in the Media
A Roundup of Stories, Videos and More Featuring ACSA Members
ACSA Extends Membership Term by Additional Three Months
As distillers continue to operate during a difficult time of uncertainty, ACSA is extending its membership term by three months at no additional cost for existing members, and new members will receive a 15-month membership for the price of 12 months. Read more about the decision here.
Got a question? ACSA's got the answer.
In these challenging times, seek advice and lend your knowledge in ACSA's online forums. Our main forum topics include crisis management, services, TTB, safety, technical, equipment & materials, legislation, business and marketplace.
Read the Latest Issue of Craft Spirits Magazine
In case you missed it, the latest issue of Craft Spirits magazine is online. Click here or on the cover photo to read the full issue.
Send News to Craft Spirits Magazine
Do you have exciting stories to share about your distillery? Keep us posted on new products, events, trends, tips and more by sending us a note at  news@americancraftspirits.org .
The American Craft Spirits Association is the only national registered non-profit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers, and membership in ACSA is open to anyone. 

ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members of the Association. Voting members must be independent licensed distillers (DSPs) annually removing fewer than 750,000 proof gallons from bond (the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid.)