Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 73rd 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.
St. Augustine's Tour Named Top Distillery Tour in North America
When Philip McDaniel and his partners started the St. Augustine Distillery about four years ago, they knew creating a memorable tour experience was as important as crafting tasty spirits. Hundreds of thousands of guests later, it’s clear the distillery accomplished that goal, based on sustained visitation and consistently strong online reviews. And now there’s another validation: The Distillery was voted as having the top distillery tour in North America in the 2018 International Drammie Awards. (St. Augustine Record)
Alaska Legislature Votes to Allow Distilleries to Continue Selling Cocktails
The Alaska Legislature gave distilleries the green light to continue serving cocktails last week. The move was made through a last-minute bill amendment, after major legislation that would have overhauled the state’s alcohol laws was killed for now. (Alaska Public Media) 
Reminder: Register for Distillery Safety Master Class in Cincinnati
Safety First! Join ACSA as we kick off our 2018 Regional Education Programs in Cincinnati! ACSA has partnered with Industrial Safety and Training Services to present "Distillery Safety Management 101." Learn about hazard recognition, requirements of written policies, regulatory training, general OSHA compliance and much more over this 2-day class on June 27-28, 2018. The registration fee is $399 for ACSA members and $699 for non-members .
Wiggly Bridge Officially Fills 500th Barrel
Norm Hebert said, “Dave Woods is the definition of a true entrepreneur,” after Woods and his son, Dave Jr., rolled out the 500th barrel from their Wiggly Bridge Distillery on Saturday afternoon. Hebert, owner of Bintliff’s Restaurant in Ogunquit, won the honor of pounding the bung in said barrel after it was filled and was among a tasting room full of guests who came to celebrate the landmark event at the distillery in York, Maine. (Seacoast Online)
Milwaukee's Central Standard Distillery Gets Its Logo on Indy Car
A Milwaukee distillery has teamed up with AJ Foyt Racing and Belardi Auto Racing to have its logo on one of the top cars in Sunday's Indianapolis 500. Central Standard Craft Distillery, launched in 2014 in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, will have its logo on car No. 33, driven by James Davison. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
We Still Need Your Response for 2018 Craft Spirits Data Project
ACSA, Park Street and the IWSR are again asking for your help. We are collecting, analyzing, and reporting on economic data for our craft spirits community, the media, and Congress. Reinvestment of the FET savings, job growth, in-state versus out-of-state sales, and bottom line contribution to the U.S. economy will be reported. This year, this data is all the more important as we attempt to educate your federal Representatives and Senators on how you are using your tax savings. Tell us! We cannot do this without your assistance. We will again collaborate with our industry partners to secure updates from the wholesale and retail tier.
Richmond, Virginia's Virago Spirits to Release First Product
The Richmond area’s newest craft distillery, Virago Spirits, is about to introduce its first product, a blended rum sourced from four places in the Caribbean and Central America known for good rum. Hence the name, Four-Port Rum. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
Old Line Spirits to Open Baltimore's First Full-Service Distillery Bar
On June 8, Old Line Spirits will open the city’s first full beer/wine/spirits cocktail bar attached to a distillery, said co-owner Arch Watkins and Lamb, the bar’s manager. Formerly the distillery’s tasting room, the redesigned space will be called the Ready Room Cocktail Bar, an 1,100-square-foot bar where Old Line plans to showcase its rums and whiskeys. (The Baltimore Sun)
Craft Distilleries Increasingly Doubling as Wedding Venues
Signature cocktails were a given when Samantha and Jake Hammer planned their May wedding, but the Lenexa couple didn’t settle for just picking a recipe. They held their reception at Union Horse Distilling Co. and celebrated their special day alongside gleaming fermentation tanks, a copper still and aging whiskey barrels. (The Kansas City Star)
Garrison Brothers Forms Non-Profit to Raise Money for State Park
Garrison Brothers Distillery makes one of the best bourbons in Texas, but the Hill Country whiskey maker wants to become known for something else now: philanthropy. Namely, Garrison Brothers has started a nonprofit and is hosting a series of summer pool parties to raise money for Balmorhea State Park in West Texas, which houses a spring-fed pool that closed indefinitely a couple of weeks ago because of structural damage. (Austin 360)
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