Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 126th 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.
Balcones to Upgrade Tasting Room, Build Brewery with $300K Grant
Balcones Distilling, which has become a major tourist attraction in Waco, Texas, will use a $300,000 local economic development grant to upgrade its tasting room and set up a small in-house brewery to slake its visitors’ thirst. (Waco Tribune-Herald)
Oregon’s Trail Distilling Hosts Inaugural WSET Level 2 in Spirits Course
Trail Distilling hosted the inaugural WSET Level 2 in Spirits Course last month, with a mix of distillers, ambassadors and spirit lovers completing a distillation run and commissioning the first class barrel. Trail Distilling is the first distillery in the country to be certified to teach WSET Award in Spirits Courses. (Drinkable Globe)
New Tucson Distillery Unveils Corn and Cacao Whiskey
All it took to inspire Tucson’s newest distillery was an attorney who “flamed out brilliantly” and an archeologist whose passion for craft practices was ignited while on assignment in Madagascar. This seemingly random collision of life-altering moments ultimately resulted in a whiskey made from what’s called the “sacred sisters” of maize and cacao. (Inside Tucson Business) 
2020 ACSA Convention Call For Presentations Now Open!
The Call for Presentations is officially open for ACSA’s 2020 Convention at the Hyatt Regency, Portland, Oregon from March 29–31, 2020. Share your expertise with the craft spirits community! ACSA’s Education Committee is seeking out technical, sales and marketing, business and legal/compliance topics. Of particular interest are presentations on:

• Advanced technical topics (especially all things yeast)
• Sensory tasting sessions
• Industry-specific safety topics
• In-depth sessions on specific ingredients
• Distribution

Please submit your proposal by July 1.
Your Input Is Critical! 2019 Craft Spirits Data Project
It's time once again for the Craft Spirits Data Project to query you on the economics of the industry. The Craft Spirits Data Project, which ACSA conducts in conjunction with Park Street and the IWSR, provides the industry's most detailed picture of the size, scope, growth trajectory and economic contributions of the craft distilling industry. This information will be critical as we continue our fight to keep the reduction in the Federal Excise Tax.
Houston’s Whitmeyer’s Distilling Donating Sales to Help Veterans
A Houston business is putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to taking care of war veterans. Whitmeyer's Distilling, LLC, Houston's first distillery, is donating all sales on site for the month of June to Camp Hope, an organization that helps veterans affected with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Camp Hope provides interim housing for veterans with PTSD and their family members in addition to providing other support. (Houston SportsMap) 
Kentucky Man Hopes to Open Distillery in Georgia
Downtown Macon, Georgia, has plenty of spots to grab a drink, and Matthew LaHood is looking to add one more. He wants to open a rye whiskey, rye-based absinthe and brandy distillery with a storefront on 2nd Street. (13 MAZ)
Distillery Planned Near Surly Brewing in Minneapolis
A family-run startup and a property developer took a step toward building a distillery near the Surly Brewing Co. in the Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis. (StarTribune) 
Send News to Craft Spirits Magazine
We are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our new, bi-monthly digital publication,  Craft Spirits Magazine , arriving this summer. The launch will coincide with the unveiling of the magazine’s official website, which will offer original content, as well as showcase some of the items that will appear on the pages of the 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 .
Washington State’s Bluewater Expands Reach with Columbia Distributing
Fans of Bluewater Distilling in Everett are about to have an easier time tracking down their favorite organic spirits. The distillery announced a new relationship with Columbia Distributing in Washington and Oregon, which will result in a wider reach for the Bluewater brand. (425 Magazine)  
Burnt Church Distillery Breaks Ground in South Carolina
Lowcountry residents recently celebrated the groundbreaking of a distillery in Bluffton. The Burnt Church Distillery was founded by brothers Billy and Sean Watterson. (WTOC-11)
American Craft Spirits Association | americancraftspirits.org