Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 143rd 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 Craft Spirits Magazine and the American Craft Spirits Association.
ACSA Takes the Global Stage at Bar Convent Berlin
The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) expanded its profile on the global stage this week at Bar Convent Berlin, where ACSA CEO Margie A.S. Lehrman led a lively discussion on building and enhancing a spirits brand’s overall identity and connection with consumers through the tasting room experience. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) 
Vermont's Barr Hill Gin Wins Best of Show in Honey Spirits Competition
Barr Hill Gin from Montpelier, Vermont-based Caledonia Spirits, took home Best of Show honors at the National Honey Board’s second annual Honey Spirits Competition. Ninety made-with-honey entrants from distilleries throughout North America were scored, with seven garnering Gold Medal awards. Those included a vodka, specialty spirits, brandy and spirits distilled from honey. Additionally, Tenth Ward Distilling Company’s Honeyjack took home the Gold Medal in the design/packaging category. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
The Family Jones Releases Atticus Jones, Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey
The Family Jones will officially release Atticus Jones, Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey, on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The first Straight Whiskey produced grain to glass by The Family Jones Distillery, a limited supply of Atticus Jones will be available at retail locations, bars and restaurants throughout metro Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs and Northern Colorado. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Register Now for ACSA's 7th Annual Convention & Vendor Trade Show
in Portland and Save the Date for 2021 in Louisville!
Take advantage of special early-bird registration rates for "Journey to Craftlandia," ACSA's 7th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Portland, Oregon, March 29-31. Join fellow producers and other industry experts for the largest gathering of licensed craft spirits producers in the U.S. Register by October 31 to get the early-bird rates of $595 for members and $395 for additional members. After October 31 the rates rise to $625 for members and $425 for additional members. So, register today to save some money!

Also, save the date for the 8th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Louisville, Kentucky. The convention is scheduled for Feb. 28-March 2, 2021, at the Kentucky International Convention Center, and the host hotel is The Galt House Hotel. More information to come.
Register Now: ACSA's Judging of Craft Spirits Competition
Registration is now open for ACSA's 7th Annual Judging of Craft Spirit Competition. ACSA takes great pride in conducting a rigorously professional judging program that recognizes the best craft spirits in the categories of Vodka/Grain, Gin, Brandy, Rum, Whiskey and Specialty Spirits. Just added: RTD cocktails are now being accepted . And we're now also accepting international spirits. Judging will take place October 29-30 at Cardinal Spirits in Bloomington, Indiana and category medalists will be announced on March 30, 2020 at the Awards Banquet during ACSA Distillers’ Convention & Vendor Trade Show at the Oregon Convention Center (convention dates are March 29, 30 & 31, 2020). The late deadline for entries is next Friday , October 18.
Upcoming Webinar: Cocktail Menu Design
Vineyards have their tasting rooms. Breweries have their tap rooms. These craft beverage entities have one massive advantage by serving in their own spaces – their clients get to enjoy their products how they would enjoy them at home. Craft distilleries… not so much.

Outside of a handful of passionate acolytes for spirits, most of the drinking public prefer their spirits mixed. Between murky local drinking laws, inexperienced bartenders, and a plethora of other landmines, it can be massively intimidating to try and start a cocktail program within your distillery’s tasting room. But, by not taking advantage of the depth of knowledge you have in-house, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity for brand and business growth.

By the end of this webinar, you will be able to take these suggestions and ideas and begin growing a vibrant and beneficial cocktail program within your very own tasting room, suited to your individual distilling programs and philosophies.

When:  Tuesday, Oct. 15, 3-4 p.m.

Where : Online Webinar

Who : Mark A. Vierthaler (Head Distiller, Tenth Ward Distilling Company) 

Cost:  $39 for members, $59 for non-members
Florida's Manifest Distilling Announces Partnership with STAGE Fund
In a fundraising partnership with STAGE Fund, Manifest Distilling of Jacksonville, Florida, is proud to announce the Commedia Dell’Arte Artist Collector’s Series, designed with the help of five local artists and assembled by the creative minds at Brunet-García Advertising. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries Releases Ready-to-Drink Cocktails
Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, known for multiple award-winning Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka and BLY Silver Rum, has announced the release of its newest product line of ready-to-drink cocktails. The cocktails will be sold in two varieties: Boyd & Blair Lemon & Lavender and Boyd & Blair Iced Tea & Lemonade. Each will be available in 1-L bottles, and are officially listed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) to be distributed into 125 PA Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Join ACSA for National Call Congress Day
On Tuesday, October 15, 2019, our craft industry urges all craft distillers and suppliers to participate in a national  Call Congress Day  to advocate for making permanent the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) that was enacted in 2017. We want the phone lines in Congress to be flooded with calls from spirits, beer, wine and cider makers and their suppliers.
Starward Australian Whisky Launches Two-Fold Double Grain Whisky
Starward Australian Whisky officially announces the distribution of its double grain whisky in the U.S. Capturing the best of Australia, Starward Two-Fold Double Grain Whisky brings together two quintessential Australian grains in the bottle: wheat (60%) and malt (40%) from the Double Gold winning Nova Single Malt, which are distilled and fully matured separately in the distillery’s signature red wine barrels from some of Australia’s leading wineries.(CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Hidden Scottish Ruins May Have Been Illegal Whisky Stills
Mystery surrounds a group of ruined stone buildings hidden in a remote forest in the Scottish Highlands, with an archaeologist suggesting they were once an illegal whisky distillery. (Live Science)
Send News to Craft Spirits Magazine
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 .