Craft Spirits Weekly

Welcome to the 114th 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.

Click Here to Join the Fight

Ben Milam Distillery Names Whiskey Expert/Author Heather Greene CEO

Ben Milam Whiskey founder Marsha Milam has assembled what might well be the most all-star team of whiskey experts in Texas to take her small Blanco distillery to a national level. The whiskey producer announced today that Heather Greene, author of a well-regarded book on whiskey, is now CEO at Ben Milam. (Austin 360)

Click Here

Make your vote count! ACSA Board of Directors elections now open!

The polls are officially open! VOTE in the ACSA Board of Directors elections TODAY through March 28th. 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.

Join the ACSA Craft Spirits Pavilion at Bar Convent Brooklyn

ACSA is inviting you to be a part of our Craft Spirits Pavilion at  Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB),  one of the most highly sought-after tickets on the East Coast! The Brooklyn Expo Center again will host this event in  New York on June 11 & 12, 2019 . Bartenders, bar owners and managers, restaurants, food and beverage managers, and distributors will reap the benefits of your pours.  ACSA will build out nine areas on our craft spirits pavilion that will be offered to participating members for a reduced fee of $2,150. To be eligible to showcase your products,  you   must be an ACSA member in good standing at the time of the event and meet state distribution requirements to present your product in the state of New York. You also must attend the event to conduct the tasting and interact with trade.     Please apply by  Tuesday, March 19  if you'd wish to be considered for one of the seats at our bar, with the understanding you must comply with our qualifications, including providing the name of the principal who will attend. You will be notified no later than  Wednesday, March 20th  with full payment due by  Friday, March 22nd .   Should ACSA receive a number of requests in excess of available space, we will hold a lottery to equitably award a spot.

Apply Here

Chicago's CH Distillery Launches Mini Bottles of Malört

Last year's announcement that CH Distillery would acquire the Jeppson's Malört brand and bring production of the bitter spirit back to Chicago set many locals' hearts aflutter. As of a few weeks ago, Malört is officially being produced within city limits once more and, thankfully, CH hasn't made any changes to the beloved recipe. The one adjustment CH Distillery has made to its newly acquired product is the introduction of a new, more portable way to buy the divisive booze. (Time Out Chicago)

Click Here

Your Input Needed: 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.

Take the Survey

Washington State Distillers Seek Change in Tasting Room Law

Producers of Washington State’s craft spirits say they’re not sure their industry has a future if they don’t get help from the state legislature this year. A proposal at the state Capitol would allow craft liquor distillers to open two additional off-site tasting rooms, which they say would allow them to reach more consumers. Unlike the single tasting room allowed under current rules, the two new tasting rooms would not be attached to a distillery’s main production center, allowing the business to expand to new locations. Senate Bill 5549  also would allow craft distilleries more freedom to serve sample cocktails. (Crosscut)

Click Here

Massachusetts Craft Beer Pros Team Up to Open Distillery

Three craft brewing experts from across the state, including the founder of Worcester’s Wormtown Brewery, are teaming up to open a Charlemont-based distillery. (MassLive)

Click Here

Minnesota's Tattersall Distilling Now in 22 States

Tattersall Distilling, the award-winning all-natural distillery based in the Twin Cities, announced that it is expanding distribution to four new states including Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee and New Jersey. This brings the distillery’s distribution to 22 states around the country.

Click Here

Garrison Brothers Announces Texas Bartender Contest Semifinalists

Garrison Brothers Distillery announced the 25 statewide semifinalists for its Bourbon Brawl bartender competition last week, and Austin has five superstar bartenders representing the boozy city in hopes of winning that big pile of green. (Austin Chronicle)

Click Here

Colorado's Mythology Distillery Releases Tea Collaboration

Teakoe Tea and Mythology Distillery announced the release of their Colorado Crafters Collaboration. Combining the seasonal flavors of Teakoe’s Slopeside Spiced Plum with Mythology’s Chatter Wolf Rye Vodka, they have created something very special and rare. (BevNet)

Click Here

Wilderness Trail Ready to Release Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Wilderness Trail Distillery is ready to introduce its next Kentucky whiskey expression in a Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The Kentucky Straight Bourbon will be a Bottled in Bond Bourbon whiskey made with a rye small grain versus wheat as found in Wilderness Trail’s original Bottled in Bond Bourbon. (BevNet)

Click Here

American Craft Spirits Association | americancraftspirits.org

See what's happening on our social sites: ‌ ‌ ‌