North Carolina Bill Seeks to Level the Playing Field for Distillers

Craft Spirits Weekly

Welcome to the 116th 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.

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North Carolina Bill Seeks to Level the Playing Field for Distillers

Craft distilleries could serve beer, wine and cocktails and sell their liquor directly to bars and restaurants under a bill filed in the House and Senate this week. Supporters of House Bill 378 and Senate Bill 290 say the changes would level the regulatory playing field for craft distillers, treating them more like the state’s craft breweries and wineries. Current law allows distilleries to serve quarter-ounce tastings and sell up to five bottles, per customer, per year to people who take a tour of their facility. All other purchases require a trip to the ABC store, and distillers say it can sometimes be difficult to get the government-run stores to stock their products. (The State)

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Last Chance to Vote! ACSA Board of Directors Elections End Tonight

The polls close tonight! VOTE in the ACSA Board of Directors elections by 11:59 p.m. EDT to ensure that your voice is heard! Please vote for up to five candidates. Remember, one vote per business so confer with your colleagues if more than one individual in your DSP is concerned with the direction of our industry. Only one individual will receive the ballot from ACSA so share the bios and position statements with others on your team.

Virginia's Virago Spirits Raises $180K in Private Investment Round

One of the Richmond area’s newest craft distilleries is raising money from investors. Virago Spirits LLC has raised $180,000 out of a planned $1 million capital raise, according to a filing the company made this week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The equity investment round opened on March 4 and eight investors have invested, according to the filing. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

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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.

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Florida's Fat Dog Spirits Launches Cannabis Vodka and Gin

A Florida distillery has launched cannabis-infused vodka and gin and they promise it doesn't taste like "bongwater.” Fat Dog Spirits Distillery, located in Tampa, has created a cannabis-infused specialty brand called Nirvana. (ABC Action News WFTS Tampa Bay)

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Pittsburgh's South Side Getting New Distillery

An abandoned warehouse on the Pittsburgh’s South Side will be transformed into a mixed-use development that will include a craft whiskey distillery, upscale market, coffee shop, rooftop restaurant and bar. (Patch.com)

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Six & Twenty Distillery to Open in South Carolina

Six & Twenty Distillery plans to open in the fall at Poe West, a mixed-used development in The Village of West Greenville, South Carolina. The Poe West location will be an expanded concept of the distillery’s first location in Powdersville. In addition to a cocktail lounge, Six & Twenty will feature cocktail classes, retail and event space, as well as full production. (GSA Business Report)

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Indiana's West Fork Whiskey Co. Resurrecting 'Old Hamer' Brand

An Indianapolis distillery is bringing back a historic Indiana whiskey. West Fork Whiskey Company is going to resurrect the "Old Hamer" brand. (WTHR-13)

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Milwaukee's Twisted Path Releases Bottled-in-Bond Rye

Add Milwaukee's Twisted Path to the list of craft distillers with a bottled-in-bond whiskey on offer. The distillery, which opened in 2015, releases its first whiskey—which is labeled bottled-in-bond—on Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m. in the tasting room. (OnMilwaukee)

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Texas Whiskey Festival Slated for April 19

There’s no doubt about it: Texas makes whiskey that can hold its own against the legacy juice of Kentucky. But don’t take our word for it. Try a variety of Texas-produced bourbon, rye, single-malt and other whiskeys next month at the returning Texas Whiskey Festival—which was apparently so successful last year that a change in venue was needed. (Austin360)

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