Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 202nd issue of Craft Spirits Weekly. This newsletter is 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.

This week's newsletter is sponsored by Rabin.
Catoctin Creek Partners with GWAR on Ragnarök Rye Whiskey
Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. of Purcellville, Virginia, is partnering with monster metal rock band GWAR on Ragnarök Rye, a 92-proof rye whisky aged in charred new white oak, then sugar maple and cherrywood. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
ACSA Continues to Push for FET Reform with Alcohol Coalition
Chief executive officers from eight major beverage alcohol associations sent a letter to Congressional leaders today urging immediate passage of the bipartisan Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, S. 362/H.R. 1175 (CBMTRA) to keep craft distillers, brewers, vintners, cider producers and mead makers from suffering a devastating tax hike in January. The coalition letter was signed by CEOs from the American Craft Spirits Association, Beer Institute, Brewers Association, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Wine Institute, WineAmerica, the American Cider Association and American Mead Makers Association.
Infuse Spirits Group and Northstar Brands Forge National Sales Partnership
Infuse Spirits Group and Northstar Brands have reached an agreement to have Infuse Spirits Group represent Vespertino Tequila Crema, Northstar Brands’s one-of-a-kind cream liqueur across the majority of Infuse Spirits Group’s 36 distributed states. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Experts at the Louisville, Kentucky-based beverage development company, Flavorman, have announced the drink flavor trends to watch for in 2021. Driven by the long-term effects of an on-going pandemic, this year’s forecast is shaping up to be focused on flavors that drive experience in a socially distant landscape. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Save the Date: ACSA to Host Virtual Packaging Awards Ceremony Dec. 21
ACSA and CRAFT SPIRITS magazine will host a virtual ceremony via Zoom on Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. ET to announce the medalists in the inaugural Craft Spirits Packaging Awards. Sponsored by the Glass Packaging Institute, the awards celebrate excellence and creativity in the design of craft spirits labels and packaging.
Special Thanks to Our Craft Spirits Packaging Awards Sponsor:
2021 Convention Call for Presentations Closes Today
We’re looking for passionate, engaging, knowledgeable presenters to share useful tools and essential content relevant to the craft spirits community. Is that you? If so, consider this your invitation to venture with us for ACSA's 2021 Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Louisville, KY, July 25th-27th, 2021! Submit your presentation proposal no later than today, December 10th, 2020.
ACSA's Judging of Craft Spirits Now Open for Entries!
ACSA is thrilled to announce that its 8th Annual Judging of Craft Spirits is now open for entries! 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, Ready-to-Drink, Whiskey, and Specialty Spirits.

Register now to take advantage of early bird fees. General registration fees are Jan. 2-Feb. 28. The late riser fee will be from March 1 until registration closes on March 12.

All spirits must be received by March 17, 2021. The competition is open to all producers of craft spirits in the United States. Due to COVID-19 we will not be accepting international entries in this year's competition.

FEES FOR ACSA MEMBERS
Early Bird: $200 per entry
General Fee: $250 per entry
Late Riser: $275 per entry
DOT-PHMSA Grants Extension on Hand Sanitizer Guidance
As of Monday December 7th, 2020, the US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT-PHMSA) granted an extension of enforcement discretion for the transport of hand sanitizer mainly to help those who wish to deplete stock.
‘Happy Hour Handbook’ Benefits Denver Bars & Restaurants
Now available for purchase online, “Happy Hour Handbook” is a compilation of appetizer and cocktail recipes, along with tips and suggestions, from bartenders and chefs at some of Denver’s most renowned and beloved bars and restaurants. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
St. Petersburg Distillery Launches Sunset Gin
A ray of liquid sunshine has just hit the shelves, in the form of St. Petersburg Distillery’s newest offering, Sunset Gin. Made with real Florida oranges, peeled and processed in house, the new Sunset Gin is a perfect extension of the distillery’s popular Tippler’s Liqueur that uses the same fresh Florida citrus. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram
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
December 16th: Heather Greene, Provision Spirits
December 23rd: No Craft Spirits Live
December 30th: No Craft Spirits Live
January 6th: Alex Laufer, One Eight Distilling
January 13th: Karen Hoskin, Montanya Distillers

Not sure how Instagram Live works? Click here to learn more.
South Carolina Distillers, Brewers Making More Inclusive Workplaces
Outdated laws that funnel South Carolina adults with intellectual disabilities into low-paying jobs can make it difficult to gain experience needed to lead independent lives, advocates say. But Beyond Distilling Co. and Steel Hands Brewing are among the companies that have set out to build inclusive workplaces as lawmakers push reform to try to shift the mindset around ability and employment. (Charleston City Paper)
Kentucky Bourbon Festival Announces 2021 Event Dates
With unique and updated offerings, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival announced the 30th annual festival will take place Sept. 16-19, 2021. Held in the Bourbon Capital of the World, the festival draws bourbon lovers to Bardstown, Kentucky, each year to celebrate the storied history of distilling America’s native spirit during National Bourbon Heritage Month. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Reminder: Importance of Registering Sanitizer
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.
Got a question? ACSA's got the answer.
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.
Read the Latest Issue of Craft Spirits Magazine
The American Craft Spirits Association proudly presents the November issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine. In our cover story, we highlight sustainability and social awareness principles within the craft rum business.

This issue also includes:

  • A feature story profiling distillers elected to serve in public office
  • Insights for craft spirits producers looking to boost off-premise sales
  • Tips for troubleshooting the most common fermentation challenges
  • Alluring cocktail recipes from ACSA members
  • And much more!
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.
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.)