Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 105th 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 the American Craft Spirits Association.
Craft Spirits Producers Say Trade War Is Undermining Export Plans
Washington’s trade dispute with Europe may have faded from the headlines in recent months, eclipsed by grander tensions with China, but the fallout continues for many companies around the country that have long targeted Europe as an achievable export market. (Washington Post) 
Room Block Ends In 8 Days! Book Now for ACSA Convention & Trade Show
Join fellow producers and other industry experts for the largest gathering of licensed craft spirits producers in the U.S. We'll be in Minneapolis, Minnesota February 10-12 with some cool pre-convention programs planned. And book your room now to take advantage of the exclusive discount rate of $119/night. The room block expires January 18!
Connecticut Distillers Fighting for Less Restrictive State Laws
The state's craft distillers are banding together to push for legislation that would allow them to sell cocktails at their production facilities and offer visitors more bottles for off-site consumption, with the hope it will build greater awareness for their alcoholic concoctions, similar to the way beer brewers have grown their fan base. (Hartford Business) 
Last Call! Your Feedback Needed on TTB Rulemaking Changes
TTB released its rulemaking to modernize  labels and advertising .
As the only national non-profit trade organization managed by and for craft distillers, ACSA will submit a comprehensive, formal response to TTB in time for full consideration. This is the last week for you to submit your feedback.

Here's a timeline of the process:

THIS WEEK: Last Chance to Provide Your Thoughts   to ACSA 
Week of Jan 14: Legislative Affairs Committee reviews and analyzes survey results
Week of Jan 21st: Present survey results to ACSA Board, develop positions or prompts on all issues. Present survey results to State Guild leadership to refine positions
Week of Jan 28: Present survey results to ACSA members, along with any prompts or follow ups, or webinars as required
Week of Feb 4: Prepare for member forum
Week of Feb 11: ACSA Convention - Member Townhall Meeting
Week of Feb 18: Integration of comments from members
Week of Feb 25: Conference Call to review any key changes with ACSA Board and/or Legal Team
Week of Mar 4: Prepare final draft of comments to TTB
Week of Mar 11: Final Draft of Comments to ACSA Board for approval
Week of Mar 18: Double-triple check everything and finalize!
Week of Mar 25: ACSA submits comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on behalf of craft spirits producers
Virginia's Copper Fox Updates Branding, Releases Single Malt Rye
Copper Fox Distillery has launched new branding and packaging for the distillery’s existing products and new limited-edition releases. (The Drinkable Globe) 
Final Call for ACSA Board of Directors Nominations
The Call for Nominations for ACSA Board of Directors will close in four days.   Nominations are open to all qualified DSP members of ACSA to fill  five positions  on its Board of Directors.  The final deadline for nominations is Monday, January 14 .

The successful candidates will help govern the association, one that is dedicated to elevating and advocating for the community of craft spirits producers.
 
The successful candidates will replace the following outgoing members whose terms will expire:

Mark Shilling, Treaty Oak Brewing & Distilling Co.; Dan Garrison, Garrison Brothers Distillery; P.T. Wood, Wood's High Mountain Distillery [Central/Mountain Region]; Orlin Sorensen, Woodinville Whiskey Company; Melkon Khosrovian, Greenbar Distillery [Pacific Region]. All elected will serve on the ACSA Board of Directors for three years, with staggered yearly terms, for the 15-person board (plus ex officio members). Positions are open across the country in each of the three regions.
 
Interested parties should contact Election Chair,  Renee Bemis, Driftless Glen , located in Wisconsin, at  renee@driftlessglen.com . You may self-nominate or be suggested by another member of our craft spirits community. Renee will contact you for additional information so please supply relevant contact information.

You will have the opportunity to address the membership with a statement of your candidacy on Tuesday morning,  February 12th , during ACSA’s national convention. Photos will also be taken there to support your ballot during our national elections. Those will take place in March with successful candidates announced shortly thereafter.
New York's Good Shepherd Distillery to Release Its First Whiskey
Starting Jan. 12, Good Shepherd Distillery will release Sound Shore, its first-ever whiskey. And according to founder/owner Vincent Miata, it's been a long time coming. The new single malt plays homage to the area where it's been milled, mashed fermented and distilled. (LoHud, Rockland/Westchester Journal News) 
California Distillers Hail New Law Removing Some Restrictions
California’s Central Coast is well known for its wine country, but distillers say a new state law could change the tides. There are more than 3,600 wineries in California, according to a recent study from Wines and Vines magazine, but only 89 licensed craft distillers in the state at last check. SB 1164, dubbed the “Op-pour-tunity Act,” removes some restrictions on distilleries that regulated production and sales. (KSBY-TV)
Catoctin Creek Turns 10, Releases 2 Bottled-in-Bond Spirits
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. is celebrating its 10 th  anniversary next month with the release of two limited-edition Bottled in Bond spirits, Rabble Rouser Rye Whisky and 1757 Virginia XO Brandy, both launching Feb. 16. (The Drinkable Globe) 
Whiskey Acres Opens New Visitors' Center in Illinois

Whiskey Acres has got a cozy new 4,200-square-foot visitors' center, which will allow it to serve its famous bourbon all year long. The original tasting room at the DeKalb distillery, 11504 Keslinger Road, is only 400 square feet, and while it provides a great atmosphere for small spirit gatherings, it's not ideal for bigger parties, or the winter months, said co-founder Nick Nagele. (DeKalb Daily Chronicle)
Virginia Distillery Co. Unveils Journey Cask Collection
The Virginia Distillery Company has been working diligently in recent years toward the eventual release of its own American single malt whiskey. In the meanwhile the distillery has been relying a lot on sourcing, particularly making use of Scotch whisky blended with some of its own in-house spirit for its flagship expression. Now, in celebration of things which have inspired the distillery’s development, the company has unveiled the Journey Cask Collection. (The Whiskey Wash)
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