Welcome to the 255th 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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Survey: Are you having trouble getting bottles? |
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The American Craft Spirits Association understands many members are running into supply chain disruption, particularly with bottle scarcity. We want to better understand how widespread this might be. Please help us by taking this two-minute survey. |
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California Distillers Receive 90-Day DtC Extension |
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Distillers in California received a 90-day extension to continue offering their spirits via direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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Middle West Releases Double Cask Whiskey Collection |
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Middle West Spirits of Columbus, Ohio, recently announced the release of its Double Cask Collection, including Sherry Cask-Finished Bourbon, Oloroso Wheat Whiskey, and the distillery’s newest product: Ported Pumpernickel Rye Whiskey. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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The ACSA PAC Needs Your Support |
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ACSA’s public policy advocacy on behalf of its members is critical to making sure our community’s voice is heard on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. A crucial piece of this strategy is a strong Political Action Committee (PAC) and to maintain this presence, we need your support.
Would you please consider a donation to the PAC of $500, $250, $100? Or give whatever you can afford so we can continue to support key candidates in 2022 and have the voice of craft distillers heard in the halls of government. The easiest way to engage and give is to go to our website and log in to ACSA and donate directly.*
*Contributions to ACSA PAC are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. Contributions from foreign nationals, federal government contractors, corporations and labor unions are prohibited. We are not soliciting contributions of more than $5,000 from individuals, or soliciting contributions from corporations, labor unions or other federally prohibited sources. Federal law requires us to use our best efforts to report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year.
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Call for Presentations for ACSA's 2022 Convention |
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The Call for Presentations for ACSA’s 2022 Convention in New Orleans in July 2022 is open! Please use our call for presentations form to submit your presentation proposal by January 9.
All topics are welcome, but we are especially seeking content that relates to:
1. Front-of-house, e.g. optimizing your tasting room, engaging with customers
2. Management, HR, and Employee relations, e.g. DEI advocating & training, getting serious about your employee manual, distillery-specific HR topics, effectively managing and working with staff, leadership & professional development
3. Distillery-specific financial topics, e.g. business valuation, exit strategies and exit planning, craft distillery-specific financial topics
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Wonderbird Spirits of Taylor, Mississippi, recently announced plans to launch distribution in Nevada and Georgia. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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ACSA Starts Facebook Group for Voting Members |
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In an effort to use the platforms that you most often use, ACSA is starting a private Facebook group for voting members only (open to all employees of member DSPs). The group will be an environment to not only ask questions without judgement, but to provide input and feedback to colleagues based upon members’ experiences and best practices. If you would like to be added to the group, please send an email to carason@americancraftspirits.org.
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Wigle Announces Return of Phil’s Shadow Whiskey |
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Pittsburgh-based Wigle Whiskey announced the return of its 92-proof Phil’s Shadow Whiskey. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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In December, Frito-Lay and Portland, Oregon-based Eastside Distilling released Lay’s Potato Vodka. The vodka, which sold out, is made in part with the same potatoes used for Lay’s potato chips. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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The Craft Spirits Podcast: Johnny Jeffery (Bently Heritage)
& John McKee (Headframe Spirits) Talk Good Deeds
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Our latest guests on The Craft Spirits Podcast are Johnny Jeffery of Bently Heritage Estate Distillery and John McKee of Headframe Spirits. They’re also a part of Good Deeds Spirits, which recently unveiled its first release, Good Deeds Malt Whiskey, which is available at seelbachs.com. It’s a blend from nine craft whiskey producers, with 100% of proceeds benefiting ACSA’s STEPUP Foundation.
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Join us for Upcoming Webinars |
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Craft Spirits TV: Sen Ron Wyden, Craft Spirits Champion |
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ACSA CEO Margie A.S. Lehrman, ACSA Board President Becky Harris of Catoctin Creek, and Jordan Cotton of Washington, D.C.'s Cotton & Reed head to Capitol Hill to present U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) with the Craft Spirits Champion Award, for his work in making permanent federal excise tax relief a reality for distilleries..Please watch and be sure to subscribe.
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Join us in the V.I.P. Lounge |
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CRAFT SPIRITS magazine and the American Craft Spirits Association are excited to introduce premium reader experiences with the launch of the V.I.P. Lounge.
While the digital-only magazine will continue to be available at no charge for regular subscribers, we are launching the V.I.P. Lounge to further support our cutting-edge features, business insights and entrepreneurial advice from and for the craft spirits community. For a modest fee, participants can now unlock value-added bonuses, like early access to magazine issues and a set of CRAFT SPIRITS-branded Glencairn glasses.
Will you join us in the V.I.P. Lounge?
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Happy Raptor Celebrates Epiphany 2022 with 504King Cake Rum |
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Happy Raptor Distilling of New Orleans is proud to announce the second annual seasonal release of its bestselling infused rum, 504King Cake (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Breakthru Beverage Group to Acquire Major Brands |
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Breakthru Beverage Group this week announced that it has a signed agreement to purchase Missouri-based Major Brands, further expanding the company’s North American footprint. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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Read the Latest Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
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The latest issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is here, and it includes stories on ingredients off the beaten track, a preview of ACSA's upcoming Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show, a roundup of fall trade shows, a close look at distilleries in Massachusetts, a profile on Julio's Liquors and much more!
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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 nonprofit 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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