Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 240th 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.
ACSA Announces Heartland Whiskey Competition Medalists
ACSA this week announced the medalists of the 2021 Heartland Whiskey Competition, which was open to craft whiskeys from all 50 states that incorporate corn in their mash bill. (AmericanCraftSpirits.org)
URGENT: Please Complete the Craft Spirits Data Project
The American Craft Spirits Association, along with our hand-picked partner, Park Street, urgently need your feedback via the Craft Spirits Data Project Survey.

Now in its sixth year, the Craft Spirits Data Project is the chief economic data study for craft spirits producers—but we cannot do it without you. We need your help to provide hard data on what really happened to the craft spirits industry in 2020 during a tremendous year of change. This survey is shorter than years past, and your feedback is vital to our mission to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers.

Please do not delay—take the survey with an extended deadline to mid-September.
Westward Launches Direct-to-Consumer National Whiskey Club
Westward Whiskey of Portland, Oregon, is proud to announce the launch of what it calls the first truly national, direct-to-consumer (DtC), brand-owned whiskey club, The Westward Whiskey Club. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Do you distill with unconventional ingredients?
Do you distill with or infuse your craft spirits with an ingredient that you would consider unconventional or unorthodox? For a future issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, we're looking for stories about products made with ingredients off the beaten path. If you make something with a unique ingredient—either as a base substrate or as a primary flavor element in an infusion or liqueur—please send us a note at news@americancraftspirits.org
Applications Now Open for STEPUP Foundation
After more than 18 months of planning, the American Craft Spirits Association recently launched the Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals (STEPUP Foundation), a diversity initiative that aims to provide underserved and underrepresented individuals with training, encouragement, and opportunities to enter the craft spirits community through a comprehensive yearlong, immersive internship program. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Craft Spirits TV: Bar Convent Brooklyn
Craft spirits producers are masked up, socially distanced and ready to pour at the American Craft Spirits Association Pavilion during Bar Convent Brooklyn, New York’s premier event for bars, bartenders and all cocktail-adjacent beverage alcohol industries. Thanks to all of our members who joined us: Aria Gin (Portland, OR), Backwards Distilling (Casper, WY), Distillery 291 (Colorado Springs, CO), New York Distilling Co. (Brooklyn, NY), Round Turn Distilling/Bimini Gin (Biddeford, ME), Wiggly Bridge Distillery (York, ME), Wigle Whiskey (Pittsburgh, PA).
Laws Announces Second Release of Bonded Henry Road Whiskey
Laws Whiskey House of Denver recently announced the second release of its Bonded Henry Road Straight Malt Whiskey. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Time is Running Out to Enter the Craft Spirits Packaging Awards
Do your craft spirits stand out on the shelf? Are your labels works of art? Are any of your products presented in unique, non-traditional packaging? If you answered yes to any of these questions, now is your chance to prove the visual prowess of your products by entering the Craft Spirits Packaging Awards.

Sponsored by the Glass Packaging Institute, the competition is open to all producers of craft spirits. Medalists will be announced at ACSA’s Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show this December and will be featured in the January 2022 issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine.

The deadline to enter is Oct. 1.
Garrison Brothers Announces 2021 Bourbon Takeover of America
Garrison Brothers Distillery of Hye, Texas, is proud to announce the 2021 Bourbon Takeover of America, a 12-day event uniting restaurants and bars nationwide as they showcase their best in bourbon-focused cocktails and culinary creations for guests to experience from Sept. 13-24. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Register Now for our Annual Distillers Convention and Vendor Trade Show
Our 8th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show is fast approaching, and we are excited to see you in Louisville, Kentucky! We will showcase our LEGACY and demonstrate our GRIT. Over two and half days, you will gain from tailored educational content from top professionals and be given opportunities to mix and mingle with suppliers and friends in our craft spirits community. Start planning your experience now by perusing the convention scheduleexploring our pre-convention classes, and booking your stay at the Galt House, our host hotel.
JK Williams Launches New Spirits Lineup, First Wheat Whiskey
JK Williams Distilling of Peoria, Illinois, is releasing two new spirits, including its first American Wheat Whiskey, which will kick off the distillery’s Bridge Series. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Fierce Whiskers Distillery Announces Grand Opening
Fierce Whiskers Distillery of Austin, Texas, has announced its grand opening on Sept. 25. A project in development since 2015, Fierce Whiskers is helmed by co-founders and native Texans Tri Vo and Tim Penney. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Register for Upcoming Webinars
Liquor.com Launches Online Barware Store
Liquor.com has launched its standalone, online store—The Liquor.com Store—with essential and unique bar items specifically curated by the site’s editorial team, to outfit and elevate any level of home bar. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram
Join ACSA for Craft Spirits Live, our Instagram Live show highlighting producers of craft spirits. Send an email to carason@americancraftspirits.org if you would like to be featured.
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, TTB, safety, technical, equipment & materials, legislation, business and marketplace.
Read the September Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
In the latest issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, we explore how craft distillers are embracing local ingredients to make vodkas that are anything but neutral; investigate a shortage of cans threatening the growth of ready-to-drink cocktail programs; check in with cocktail bars and restaurants as they navigate uncertainty; 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.)