Welcome to the 225th issue of Craft Spirits Weekly. This newsletter is dedicated to bringing ACSA members 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 CRAFT SPIRITS magazine and the American Craft Spirits Association.
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Michigan Lowers Tax, Raises ABV Limit for Canned Cocktails |
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday signed legislation that will make it easier for distillers and retailers to distribute and sell canned cocktails. The legislation allows distillers to sell canned cocktails up to 13.5% ABV, up from 10%. It also reduces the tax on mixed spirits from 48 cents to 30 cents per liter. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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Distillers Meet with Members of Congress During ACSA/DISCUS Conference |
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Distilling dominated Congressional appointment books this week as more than 200 craft spirits producers from nearly every U.S. state talked COVID-19 relief, trade tariffs and direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping with Senators and Representatives on both sides of the aisle. The spirits community gathered for more than 100 virtual meetings during the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) Public Policy Conference. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Cedar Ridge Launches Commemorative Fourth of July Bourbon Label |
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Cedar Ridge Distillery of Swisher, Iowa, will release a commemorative label on its number one selling Iowa bourbon whiskey to honor the Fourth of July holiday and strengthen the brand’s connection to the heartland. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Heartland Whiskey Competition Registration is Now Open |
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ACSA is proud to announce that registration for the third biennial Heartland Whiskey Competition is now open. The competition is open to craft whiskeys from all 50 states that incorporate corn in their mash bill. Top mixologists, brand ambassadors and whiskey aficionados will judge the competition. The deadline for entries is July 14 with a spirits delivery deadline of July 18.
This competition is generously sponsored by the following state corn association marketing boards. ACSA extends very special thanks to all of them for their support.
- Colorado Corn Administrative Committee
- Illinois Corn Marketing Board
- Indiana Corn Marketing Council
- Iowa Corn Promotion Board
- Kansas Corn Commission
- Kentucky Corn Promotion Council
- Ohio Corn Marketing Program
- The Corn Marketing Program Of Michigan
- Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council
- Missouri Corn Merchandising Council
- Nebraska Corn Growers Association
- New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association
- Corn Growers Association of North Carolina
- North Dakota Corn Council
- Texas Corn Producers
- Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board
- Tennessee Corn Promotion Council
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American Liquor Co. Vodka Announces National Availability |
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American Liquor Co. Vodka, a 4-crop vodka blend made from locally-grown winter wheat, light rye, Rio Grande potato and white corn, is now available for direct-to-consumer (DtC) delivery. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Pennsylvania Distillers Guild Announces New Executive Director |
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The Pennsylvania Distillers Guild has tapped former Pennsylvania labor and industry secretary Kathy Manderino as executive director to help grow the membership and organizational efforts of the Guild, effective immediately. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Philadelphia Distilling Unveils Bluecoat Gin For Seltzer |
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Philadelphia Distilling unveils today its first new spirit since 2018: Bluecoat Gin For Seltzer (94 proof). (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Registration Is Now Open For Bar Convent Brooklyn 2021 |
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On August 17 and 18, Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB) will return to the Brooklyn Expo Center in New York City. This year’s bar trade conference will mark the return of in-person events and the first industry conference to take place as a physical show since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Saverglass Announces Commitment To Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050 |
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Saverglass, the world’s leading manufacturer specializing in the production and decoration of luxury and high-end glass bottles, recently released its 2020-2021 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, detailing the company’s achievements and measurable progress, with an extended focus on the second measurement of its carbon footprint in 10 years (resulting in a decrease of -11% on scopes 1, 2 and 3 between 2009 and 2019) but also what led Saverglass to establish its low-carbon roadmap aiming at a consequent reduction of its emissivity by 2035 and the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Bosscal Mezcal from Durango Joins Wolf Spirit Portfolio |
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Umberto Luchini, founder and proprietor of Wolf Spirit Distillery in Eugene, Oregon, announces that Bosscal Mezcal (Durango, Mexico) has joined the company’s portfolio. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Craft Spirits Podcast: Sonat Birnecker Hart of KOVAL Distillery |
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In the latest episode of The Craft Spirits Podcast, Sonat Birnecker Hart of KOVAL Distillery joins us for a wide-ranging conversation, which includes her thoughts on the benefits of exporting spirits and how starting up the distillery during the subprime mortgage crisis helped KOVAL navigate the pandemic. |
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Register for Upcoming Webinars |
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In a recent newsletter, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) addressed a frequently asked question in its call centers: If I am only selling my bottled distilled spirits product in-house, do I still need to get a COLA for it?
The short answer is, if your product doesn’t enter interstate commerce, it is not required to comply with the labeling or COLA requirements found in 27 CFR part 5, but you are required to obtain a certificate of exemption from label approval. TTB FAQ S14 contains more information on this topic, as well as related subjects, such as if the formula and standards of fill requirements apply.
If you are bottling spirits that are not to be sold, offered for sale, or shipped or delivered for shipment, or otherwise introduced into interstate commerce, you may apply for a certificate of exemption from label approval.
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Access Assets to Advocate for DtC |
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ACSA has a collection of resources for guilds and distilleries to advocate for DtC changes, including a postcard to send to legislators, model guidelines necessary for elements of a model DtC bill, talking points and FAQs about DtC. |
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Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram |
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Join ACSA for Craft Spirits Live, our Instagram Live show. In each episode, a leading craft spirits producer invites us into their distillery for 30 minutes of engaging conversation and a virtual tour—as well as an opportunity to answer all of your burning questions.
UPCOMING GUESTS
June 2nd: Mark Elia, Long Branch Distillery
June 9th: TBA
June 16th: Stephen Paul, Whiskey Del Bac
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Got a question? ACSA's got the answer. |
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In these challenging times, seek advice and lend your knowledge in ACSA's online forums. Our main forum topics include crisis management, services, TTB, safety, technical, equipment & materials, legislation, business and marketplace. |
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Read the Latest Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
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The American Craft Spirits Association proudly presents the May 2021 issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine. In our cover story, distillers around the nation weigh in on their adventures with heirloom corn. As our editor in chief writes, "Many, perhaps most, of you don’t work with heirloom corn (or even make whiskey, for that matter), but the piece is about all of you. That’s because craft spirits, regardless of what fermentable substrate you use, is an heirloom industry."
This issue also includes:
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Send News to CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
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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.
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The American Craft Spirits Association is the only national registered non-profit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers, and membership in ACSA is open to anyone.
ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members of the Association. Voting members must be independent licensed distillers (DSPs) annually removing fewer than 750,000 proof gallons from bond (the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid.)
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