Welcome to the 192nd 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.
While this is normally a members-only benefit, we are distributing this newsletter to all DSPs as a public service during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also offering a 15-month membership for the price of 12 months (existing members will receive an additional three months). This offer will expire on Sept. 30. If you are not a member, learn more about joining here.
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A gin-inspired spirit distilled from honey took home Best in Show honors at the National Honey Board’s third annual Honey Spirits Competition. Egg Harbor, Wisconsin-based Hatch Distilling Co.’s Gin was one of more than 80 entrants into the free competition, which recognizes the best spirits in the United States that use honey either as a sweetener, flavor or distillate. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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New: Read the Latest Issue of Craft Spirits Magazine
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Botanically Unbound: The Gin Category is Ready for a Revolution |
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In the cover story of our latest issue of Craft Spirits magazine, we shine a light on the endless possibilities within the gin category. For a spirit that, for centuries, has been so tied to stylistic orthodoxy and tradition, gin offers a tremendous amount of elbow room for distillers to get experimental. And, as an industry, distillers have barely scratched the surface.
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Webinar: New Frontiers in Gin |
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What: Want to know where the gin market is headed? Tune in to our panel of boundary-pushing craft distillers who are exploring an almost unlimited array of flavor profiles within this classic category.We’ll explore everything from unconventional botanicals and bases to innovative barrel-aging techniques.
Who: Abby Titcomb (3 Floyds Distilling Co.), Jason Parker (Copperworks Distilling Company), and Lance Winters (St. George Spirits), moderated by Jeff Cioletti (Craft Spirits magazine)
When: Thursday, Oct. 8, 3 p.m. ET
Cost: Free to ACSA members; $59 for non-members
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Bill to Make To-go Cocktails Permanent Heads to Ohio Governor |
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Ohio could soon become just the second state in the country to permanently allow cocktails to go. A bill making to-go cocktails from restaurants and bars permanent passed through the Ohio House and Senate Wednesday and will now head to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk. (ABC 6)
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Storm King Distilling Co. Releases First Straight Whiskies |
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Storm King Distilling Co. of Montrose, Colorado, announces the release of its first straight whiskies. Colorado Straight Rye Whiskey (90 proof) and Colorado Straight Wheat Whiskey (84 proof) launched at the end of the summer and both expressions are 100% rye and wheat, respectively. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Chemist Spirits Introduces Collaboration with Biltmore Winery |
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Chemist Spirits of Asheville, North Carolina, has announced the release of Biltmore Conservatory Rose Gin, a collaboration with Biltmore Winery. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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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
September 30: Alex Castle, Old Dominick Distillery
October 7: Taka Amano, American Shochu Company
October 14: Kim & Tom Bard, The Bard Distillery
October 21: John Little, Smooth Ambler Spirits
October 28: Blake Jones, West Fork Whiskey
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Virginia Distillery Co. Releases Second Batch of Courage & Conviction |
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Virginia Distillery Co. of Lovingston, Virginia, recently released the second batch of its American Single Malt whisky in the Courage & Conviction product line. The second batch of Courage & Conviction is dedicated to Dr. Jim Swan, who passed away in 2017 following a 40-year career supporting the science of distilling as a chemist, professor, researcher and author. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka Recognized by Ultimate Spirits Challenge |
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Pittsburgh-based Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries announced today that its multi-award-winning spirit, Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka, has been ranked the number one vodka and number four overall spirit in the second annual Ultimate Spirits Challenge Top 100 Spirits list, beating out 96 global brands. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Miracle Pop-up Cocktail Bars Return for Seventh Year |
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Heading into its seventh year, the beloved Christmas-themed pop-up bars Miracle and Beachbum Berry Presents: Sippin’ Santa are returning for another holiday season. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Spirit Hub Expands Delivery to North Dakota and New Hampshire |
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Chicago-based Spirit Hub, an online platform to shop for craft spirits from hundreds of independent distilleries, this week announced its expansion to North Dakota and New Hampshire. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Reminder: Importance of Registering Sanitizer |
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Recently, ACSA leadership met with the FDA and the biggest takeaways were the importance of following current FDA guidelines and the necessity to register if you are producing hand sanitizer, packaging or labeling for distribution (either for sale or donation). You must also register with the FDA if you are manufacturing ethanol for use by others in making sanitizer.
If you believe a distillery is producing or distributing hand sanitizer or ethanol in a manner that is inconsistent with recent federal regulations and guidelines published for use during the COVID-19 public health emergency, please click here.
And if you haven't already added your distillery to our list of DSPs producing hand sanitizers, click here.
Additionally, FDA recently announced that it is providing a laboratory testing method to assess the quality of finished hand sanitizer products.
This testing method can be used to help assure hand sanitizers contain the correct ingredients and do not contain harmful levels of impurities. To read the full bulletin on the FDA's laboratory testing method, click here.
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New Deadline: Get a 15-month Membership for the Price of 12 Months
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As distillers continue to operate during a difficult time of uncertainty, new and lapsed ACSA members are receiving a 15-month membership for the price of 12 months. We've extended the deadline for this offer and it will now expire on Sept. 30.
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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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Watch the Latest Episode of Craft Spirits TV |
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Read the Latest Issue of Craft Spirits Magazine |
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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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