Welcome to the 186th 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). This offer will expire on Sept. 1. If you are not a member, learn more about joining here.
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DUE TODAY: Craft Spirits Data Project Survey Responses |
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Since the Craft Spirits Data Project first launched in 2016, we (together with Park Street and the IWSR) have demonstrated substantial growth in terms of sheer numbers of DSPs, and volume and value in the craft spirits industry. That information has been critically important to educate the U.S. Congress on the impact of your small business on jobs, among other items.
This year, survey results are even more vital as we continue to fight for relief, in the form of a continued (or permanent) FET reduction and additional economic stimulus, as we know many of your tasting rooms have been compelled to close.
Fifteen minutes of your time today could make a substantial difference in years to come. Please help us understand the state of our industry.
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Due Today: Raise Your Voice on Dietary Guidelines |
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New Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) are coming for 2021. A recent report recommends cutting from two drinks per day to one drink per day for men who consume alcohol. The guidelines for women stay the same at one drink per day. USDA and HHS are seeking public comments on this report until Aug. 13. Click below to take action and leave your comments. |
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ACSA Announces Diversity, DtC Initiatives at Craft Spirits Virtual Summit |
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ACSA this week announced two major initiatives during its Craft Spirits Virtual Summit: A New Journey, which was attended by hundreds of craft distillers and suppliers to the craft spirits industry.
After a keynote address on Tuesday by Joth Ricci of Dutch Bros Coffee, ACSA President Becky Harris (Catoctin Creek Distilling Co.) announced the launch of the STEPUP Foundation, an internship program that aims to build a more diverse and inclusive craft spirits industry. STEPUP is short for the Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Unrepresented Professionals Foundation, Inc. Be on the lookout for more news about STEPUP soon.
During a Town Hall on Wednesday, ACSA Board Member and DtC Committee Chair Dan Farber (Osocalis Distillery) updated attendees on the push for allowing direct-to-consumer shipping. Farber released ACSA’s vision and mission statement on this initiative:
Vision
Consumers can freely choose the relationship experience they prefer with our companies and the products we produce.
Mission
To grow small business by allowing consumers to safely and responsibly purchase spirits from any distillery by the method they choose.
Also during Wednesday's Town Hall, we heard an address from Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), our lead Senate sponsor on S.362, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) which would make FET relief permanent for craft distilleries, among other alcoholic beverages. The Senate bill—including its counterpart in the House—has widespread bi-partisan support. In a Q&A with ACSA past presidents Mark Shilling and Tom Mooney, Wyden explained why the bill has not been brought to the floor for a vote.
“In the U.S. Senate … it only takes one Senator to throw sand in the gears, to block everything procedurally and we don’t have every Senator. We have a fabulous showing [but] we don’t have every showing,” said Wyden. “You need two things. You need to build support with the leadership and then you need individual senators to go to the leaders and say, ‘This is important to me. I’ve just been home for a month talking to folks, they’re really hurting. I need you to put this into the bill.'"
Wyden said he will continue the fight to make FET relief permanent.
“We will continue to push as hard as possible for permanence,” he said. “I’m going to roll up my sleeves and work to get it done.”
Wyden urged producers of craft spirits to reach out to their legislators to continue to ask support for the bill.
“Walk away from this knowing that to have this many sponsors of a major piece of legislation doesn’t happen by osmosis. It happens because you built it. You went legislator to legislator and you went to meetings. That is a monumental achievement. There are people who have tried to build that kind of support in decades and we managed to do it in two years.”
The summit spanned two days and included a wide array of educational presentations and a virtual exhibit hall. Thank you again to everyone who attended, presented and participated in this virtual gathering of the craft spirits community.
We concluded the summit with a trivia session with our own Jeff Cioletti. Congratulations to our grand prize winner, Amber Pollock of Backwards Distilling Co., who won free registration and two nights hotel at the next ACSA Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show, which will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, July 25-27, 2021. We hope to see you there!
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ACSA, DISCUS to Co-Host Annual Public Policy Conference Sept. 15-16 |
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Distillers from across the country will gather virtually Sept. 15-16 for the distilled spirits industry’s annual Public Policy Conference co-hosted by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).(CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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TTB Appoints Mary Ryan as Administrator |
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The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) this week announced the appointment of Mary Ryan as the organization's new administrator. The appointment is effective Aug. 16. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Foundry Distilling and Boulevard Brewing Collaborate on Midnight Ritual |
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Fans of Boulevard Brewing Co.’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer will soon be able to enjoy the iconic ale like never before: as a whiskey. The collaboration with Iowa-based Foundry Distilling Co. turns nascent Unfiltered Wheat into 89 proof Midnight Ritual, an American malt whiskey. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram |
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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
August 19: Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest, Inc.
August 26: P.T. Wood, Wood’s High Mountain Distillery
September 2: TBA
September 9: Thomas Mote, Balcones Distilling
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Caledonia Spirits’ Bee’s Knees Week to Focus on Planting Bee Habitat |
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Caledonia Spirits, the Vermont-based distiller that uses raw northern honey to make its flagship spirits Barr Hill Gin, Tom Cat Gin, and Barr Hill Vodka, announced Thursday that its popular Bee’s Knees Week initiative will have a new look in 2020. Held every September, Bee’s Knees Week has traditionally raised money for organizations that work to protect bees, but this year the format will be built around planting bee habitat to ensure that pollinators are able to continue playing their crucial role in our environment. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Garrison Brothers Expands Distribution to Washington and California |
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Garrison Brothers Distillery of Hye, Texas, is excited to announce an expansion of distribution partnership with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) together with Young’s Market Company (Young’s) to include Washington, effective immediately, and California starting September 1, 2020. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Tattersall Distilling Named to Inc. 5000 Two Years in a Row |
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Inc. magazine revealed that Tattersall Distilling of Minneapolis was once again named to its annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy’s most dynamic segment – its independent small businesses. With a growth rate of 69%, this marks Tattersall Distilling’s second consecutive year of receiving this acknowledgement. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Reminder: Importance of Registering Sanitizer |
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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.
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Sagamore Spirit Releases Manhattan Finish Rye Whiskey |
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Few cocktails evoke the warm feeling and flavors of fall quite like a Manhattan. To welcome the season and pay homage to a recipe that’s stood the test of time, Sagamore Spirit of Baltimore introduces a new limited-edition rye whiskey inspired by the classic cocktail: Sagamore Spirit Distiller’s Select Manhattan Finish. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Rock Town Earns Honors from International Wine and Spirits Competition |
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Rock Town Distillery of Little Rock, Arkansas, is pleased to announce its Arkansas Straight Rye Whiskey has scored a 95/100 at the 2020 International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) held in the UK. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Bardstown Bourbon Co. Unveils Event Schedule for Competition |
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The Bardstown Bourbon Co. of Bardstown, Kentucky, in partnership with Moonshine University, continues its search for the “World’s Top Whiskey Taster” with a full slate of virtual events beginning early September. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Members in the Media
A Roundup of Stories, Videos and More Featuring ACSA Members
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Expiring Soon: Get a 15-month Membership for the Price of 12 Months |
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As distillers continue to operate during a difficult time of uncertainty, new and lapsed ACSA members are receiving a 15-month membership for the price of 12 months. This offer will expire on Sept. 1.
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Got a question? ACSA's got the answer. |
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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. |
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Read the Latest Issue of Craft Spirits Magazine |
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Send News to Craft Spirits Magazine
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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.
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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.)
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