Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 81st 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.
San Diego Distillery Up and Running After Last September's Fire
Back in September 2017 San Diego Distillery was poised to grow out of its small warehouse space in Spring Valley, California. Then disaster struck: a middle-of-the-night electrical fire. Though the bulk of the distillery’s whiskey-filled barrels were spared, its still was destroyed, and the business was forced to shut down its tasting room and production. But, perhaps most importantly: by virtue of timing, a new, 275-gallon still escaped the flames. “It was actually being delivered to us the day after we had the fire,” says founder and distiller Trent Tilton. The new still now sits inside a larger, 2200-square-foot space across the street, where San Diego Distillery finally re-opened to the public at the end of June. (San Diego Reader) 
Register for the First Edition of ACSA's Tasting Room Webinar Series
Join Amber Pollock of Backwards Distilling Company for the first installment of our tasting room webinar series, Wednesday July 25, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. This session will focus on the role tasting rooms can play as a key part of your brand and in the forward momentum of the cocktail movement as a whole. Key topics include building cocktail culture via tasting rooms, how tasting rooms build brands and brand loyalty and how tasting rooms fit into their local markets. The registration fee is $59 
Growing Number of Distillers Embrace Barrel-Aged Gin
When drinkers consider brown-hued spirits that have spent time in barrels, whiskey is the booze that usually comes to mind. But it hasn’t always been that way. In the 18th century, gin, too, was stored, shipped and sold in barrels—before it developed its current reputation as a clear, young, juniper-heavy spirit bottled in glass immediately after distillation. (Seattle Magazine) 
Call for Presentations: ACSA Distillers' Convention & Vendor Trade Show
We invite you to share your expertise with the craft spirits community at ACSA’s 6 th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show, February 10-12, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. If you’re interested in presenting, please submit your proposal no later than August 15 . ACSA prides itself on professional education providing the greatest possible learning experience for our industry. Each individual Call for Presentations will be personally vetted by the ACSA Education Committee.
There's Still Time to Participate in 2 Members-Only BevCon Opportunities
As an ACSA member in good standing, you have the opportunity to save $100 on the registration fee for BevCon, which has quickly become one of the premier beverage industry events in the country. BevCon, scheduled for August 19-21 in Los Angeles, brings together all sectors of the spirits industry, including producers, bartenders, distributors, bar and restaurant owners and retailers. Use the code: ACSASpecial when you register to receive the discount.

Additionally, if you own/operate/manage a DSP and are interested in showcasing your products at BevCon, there's space available for six ACSA member producers to pour at either an On-Site Tasting Bar or Meet-the-Makers exclusive event. If you'd like to participate, you must be able to attend or send a knowledgeable member of your team. You also must meet California state distribution requirements. Please e-mail margie@americancraftspirits.org with the subject line BEVCON no later than July 23 if you wish to participate. If more than six members express interest in pouring, we will conduct a lottery to determine the lineup.
Former Hollywood Special Effects Pro Opens Surf City Still Works
As a Hollywood special effects expert, Josh Kornoff spent all of his time devising cool ways to ignite raging fires and set off deafening explosions. Now that he’s started a distillery filled with volatile spirits, that’s the last thing he wants. “I blew up everything I could think of,” he said at the grand opening of Surf City Still Works on Saturday, July 14, where he talked about transitioning from Hollywood stunt and pyrotechnics work to building drones under government and military contracts, then deciding he wanted to do something fun. (Orange County Register)
Maine's Rum-Only Sebago Lake Distillery Officially Opens
Sebago Lake Distillery has officially opened its Maine-based distillery and launched three distinctly different, handcrafted rum brands, with another set to debut later this year. (The Drinkable Globe)
Construction Begins on 2nd Caledonia Spirits Distillery in Vermont
Construction has begun on a distillery for Caledonia Spirits in Montpelier. The Times Argus reports the new 26,000-square-foot facility for Caledonia Spirits is expected to open in May and bring 25 to 30 new jobs. (The News Tribune)
New Brandy Blend from Copper & Kings Is a 'Geogr&phy' Lesson
Copper & Kings has unveiled its latest innovation, Geogr&phy, which it describes as “a deluxe brandy blend” of pure copper-pot-distilled brandies from the U.S. and South Africa, married and aged for an additional two years in Kentucky Bourbon barrels. (The Drinkable Globe)
Oregon's 503 Distilling Releases Blood Orange Greyhound in a Can
Following up on the successful launch of its inaugural canned cocktail, The Wicked Mule, 503 Distilling has launched a second canned cocktail, The Blood Orange Greyhound, for enjoying on the river, the golf course, or simply at home in the back yard this summer in convenient and environmentally friendly 12oz. aluminum cans. (BevNet) 
Milwaukee's Central Standard to Unveil Anniversary Release Friday
Central Standard Craft Distillery co-founders Evan Hughes and Pat McQuillan will introduce their first-ever anniversary spirit release at a party Friday, July 20 at their Walker’s Point Tasting Room. The event, which will commemorate the craft distillery’s fourth anniversary, will serve as the official unveiling of Central Standard’s highly anticipated Cabernet Finished Bourbon Whiskey. (Urban Milwaukee) 
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