Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 55th 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.
Minnesota Distiller Gets Grant to Study Rye Varieties
Mike Swanson thinks Minnesota could be at the center of a whiskey revolution. And he is accumulating the data to prove it. Swanson, who owns Hallock, Minnesota-based Far North Spirits, argues craft distillers need to pay more attention to the front end of the process. In the case of whiskey, it's the rye that makes the mash that makes the whiskey. He was curious whether each rye variety would add different flavors to whiskey, so he got a grant from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to study rye varieties for taste. (AP via US News & World Report) 
Grand Canyon Brewing Co. Opens Distillery
Lovers of craft spirits have a reason to raise a toast: the owner of Grand Canyon Brewing Company has expanded his operation and opened a distillery to make artisanal liquors. (Williams News) 
S.D. Strong Adds Stage to Barrel Room in Cave 65 Feet Underground
When S.D. Strong Distilling in Parkville, Missouri expanded its cave space, owner and head distiller Steve Strong decided to build a stage inside its barrel room. Strong, a former musician himself, felt a concert series in a cave paired perfectly with his award-winning spirits. (Amplify magazine)
Spirit Works Inks California Distribution Deal with The Henry Wine Group
California grain-to-glass craft producer Spirit Works Distillery announced that it has tapped fine wine and spirits distributor, The Henry Wine Group (part of the national distribution group, The Winebow Group) as its distribution partner in California, effective this month. (BevNet)
New Hampshire's Copper Cannon Opens Saturday
Adding to New Hampshire’s local liquor options, Copper Cannon Distillery will open Saturday, Jan. 20, offering free tastings of its white and aged rums to visitors. Co-owner and distiller K. Blake Amacker said Copper Cannon, based in West Chesterfield, N.H., will expand beyond white rums in the future. In addition to flavored and spiced rums, whiskey and bourbon should be available later in the year. (Sentinel Source)
Michigan Distillers Come of Age
When a new generation of distilleries began popping up around Michigan, the initial focus was on making clear spirits like vodka and gin. “Now that they’ve been around long enough to age dark spirits, we’re seeing some phenomenal results in the whiskey category,” says Dianna Stampfler, executive director of the Michigan Craft Distillers Association. (Hour Detroit)
West Tennessee Crown to Distribute Eastside's Redneck Riviera Whiskey
Eastside Distilling, Inc. announced its intent to distribute Redneck Riviera Whiskey through West Tennessee Crown Distributing Co. Eastside’s new whiskey is a collaboration with John Rich, the multi-platinum country-music artist and one-half of the award-winning duo Big & Rich. Initially, Eastside will be offering both 375ml and 750ml bottle sizes in the West Tennessee region. (BusinessWire) 
Constellation Buys Stake in Another Craft Producer: The Real McCoy
The Real McCoy has announced that Constellation Brands acquired a minority stake in the copper pot distilled, American bourbon barrel aged rum. Constellation will also handle distribution for the brand throughout the United States, and provide assistance with marketing and operations. (BevNet) 
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