Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 77th 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.
Bourbon Producers Caught in the Crosshairs of Trade War
In the wake of tit-for-tat tariffs, America's beloved liquid spirit is caught in the crosshairs of Washington's escalating trade battle. In a collective strategic political punch, China, Mexico, Canada and the European Union have all slapped tariffs on America's booming bourbon industry. The duties came in reaction to the Trump administration's move to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum. (CNBC)
Texas Project Seeks to Develop New Corn Strains for Whiskey
A master distiller and a crop scientist who specializes in corn breeding are working on a project they hope one day will help bring local identities to American whiskeys.
Seth Murray, a top corn breeder at Texas A&M University, and Rob Arnold, working on a doctorate at the school while making whiskey for a Fort Worth distiller, are trying to develop commercially viable strains of corn with identifiable flavors, in the same way as specific grapes define the taste of wine from California’s Napa Valley or a Bordeaux produced in southwest France. (News Radio WINA)
THERE'S STILL TIME: Book Now for Cincinnati Safety Master Class!
It's not too late to take advantage of the exclusive discounted room block for our distillery safety master class in Cincinnati later this month . If you care about the safety of your distillery, your products and, most importantly, your team, you're going to want to join us in Cincinnati next month as we kick off our 2018 Regional Education Programs! 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.  Book your room at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza by calling 1-800-HILTONS and reference the room block for the American Craft Spirits Association.  Register for the class at the link below.
Hope Springs Distillery Opens in Georgia
Located just east of Atlanta in the heart of Lilburn, Hope Springs Distillery launched its first products in 2017 and produces premium, small batch spirits made for the discerning drinker. The distillery currently produces Top Hat Vodka and Jetty Absinthe, with plans for several types of gin to be produced this summer. (BevNet) 
San Diego's You & Yours Expanding, Releasing Canned Cocktails
Launched Last Year in San Diego’s East Village, You & Yours Distilling Co. has been embraced by the local bar industry and received acclaim for its in-house cocktail program. Its 26-year-old owner and head distiller, Laura Johnson, is getting national notice too, making Forbes magazine’s 30 Under 30 list and being named as an Eater Young Guns 2018 semifinalist. Now, the urban distillery is prepping to begin production on a line of canned cocktails, entering a growing market that few other craft distilleries have yet to venture into, though San Diego-based Cutwater Spirits commands a large share of the current space. (Eater San Diego) 
Dogfish Head Releasing Two Bottled Cocktails
Dogfish Head Distilling Co. has announced the launch of its new bottled cocktails, Ginger’s Cold Brew Cocktail and Compelled to Drink Tea by the Sea, the winning libations from its 2017 Sonic Archeology Cocktail Competition. (BevNet)
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.
Senators Introduce Bill Ending Tribal Land Distillery Ban
Sens. Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington State introduced legislation Wednesday to repeal a 19th-century law that prevents tribes from operating distilleries on tribal land. (The Columbian) 
Wyoming Whiskey Releases Steamboat Special Edition
Wyoming Whiskey announces the release of its Steamboat Special Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey with 1,000 cases of Steamboat to be distributed exclusively in Wyoming beginning Friday, June 22nd. (BevNet)
Traverse City Whiskey Set to Expand
A popular distillery in Traverse City will soon be able to increase its production capacity by about 10 times. (Up North Live)
American Craft Spirits Association | americancraftspirits.org