Welcome to the 277th 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.
This week, we're focusing on new rum releases from Cotton & Reed, a new certification for Far North Spirits, global beverage alcohol growth and more.
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ACSA'S 9th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show in New Orleans is six short weeks away! Visit our website to register; see the full convention schedule; learn more about pre-convention education; sign up for distillery tours; book your hotel room by June 20; and download our app.
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Cotton & Reed Launches Three Limited Release Rums |
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Cotton & Reed of Washington, D.C., is launching three new limited release products on June 11. The launch event will feature new cocktails featuring new rums, plus tasting flights of all three. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Far North Spirits Receives Bee Friendly Farming Certification |
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Far North Spirits of Hallock, Minnesota, has been certified as a Bee Friendly Farm by Pollinator Partnership. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Global Beverage Alcohol Rebounds in 2021; Value Reaches $1.17 Trillion |
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Global beverage alcohol value grew by +12% last year to reach US$1.17 trillion, making up for Covid-driven value losses of -4% in 2020, according to extensive new data from London-based IWSR Drinks Market Analysis. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Hella Cocktail Co. Celebrates Choice in Cocktail Culture with Investment |
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Hella Cocktail Co., a Brooklyn, New York-based brand of botanically inspired mixers and beverages crafted to elevate cocktail culture for everyone, is proud to announce a $5 million investment from a fellow BIPOC-owned company, Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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REGISTER FOR UPCOMING EVENTS |
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June
Matt Vogl, the keynote speaker at our upcoming 9th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show, will walk attendees through workplace mental health self-assessments—i.e. how healthy is a company with respect to the mental health of its employees and their families.
Whether you are just thinking about starting an RTD program or in need of a refresher, our panel of RTD producers will share tips and best practices to ensure your RTDs can stand the test of time.
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August
Based on member feedback, ACSA is using OSHA grant funds to create a one-day, in-person course on fire protection and prevention, customized to address the needs of craft distillers, and presented by Industrial Safety and Training Services at Watershed Distillery in Columbus, Ohio. Only a few spots remain!
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September
Join us as we meet virtually with officials from Capitol Hill and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau before setting off for virtual Congressional meetings.
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The Craft Spirits Podcast: Michael Myers of 291 Colorado Whiskey |
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Our latest guest on The Craft Spirits Podcast is Michael Myers, the founder and owner of 291 Colorado Whiskey in Colorado Springs.
At ACSA’s convention in Louisville, Kentucky, last December, he joined Jeff Cioletti and Jon Page for a wide-ranging conversation about his path to making whiskey. A former fashion and beauty photographer who was in New York on 911, Michael launched 291 in 2011. He also discusses the distillery’s distribution footprint; the ins and outs of copyrighting a cocktail; what it’s like to see his bottles on TV shows; and the distillery’s new space.
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MORE NEWS FROM CRAFTSPIRITSMAG.COM |
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Edible QR Code Takes a Shot at Fake Whiskey
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CANTEEN Spirits Reveals New Packaging Design
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USBG Unveils New Mission and Vision Statements
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Answer Our One-Question Survey on Inconsistencies in Permitting |
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The American Craft Spirits Association is reviewing the application of TTB regulations regarding the location, occupancy and design of tasting rooms in relation to the permitted facilities of DSPs. Please answer our one-question survey to let us know of any issues or inconsistencies you may have faced in either the permitting or ongoing use of your facilities.
For example, it is generally accepted there must be a barrier between a tasting room and DSP premises. In some cases TTB has required a solid, complete and permanent wall. In some cases less permanent barriers have been allowed. And in one case, a permittee was told they could not have a door between the two.
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Crack Open the May/June Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
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The May/June issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is here, and our cover story examines the skyrocketing popularity of spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails. This issue also features stories about creative packaging, smart branding, e-commerce solutions and more!
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Join Us In The V.I.P. Lounge and Hang Out with Lisa Laird Dunn |
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Our V.I.P. Lounge members receive each issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine one week early, and our $40- and $60-per-year supporters are invited to join craft spirits icons for virtual happy hours. To unlock additional bonuses, like a set of CRAFT SPIRITS-branded Glencairn glasses, join us in the V.I.P. Lounge today.
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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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STEPUP Foundation Now Accepting New Applications |
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The STEPUP Foundation is now accepting applications for 2023 interns, mentors, DSPs, and wholesalers from June 1 through Sept. 1, 2022.
STEPUP stands for Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals and its purpose is to increase talent through the facilitation of workplace diversity. Specifically, STEPUP, working with distilleries and wholesalers throughout the United States, provides a comprehensive, hands-on training program with a living stipend and provides job exposure for those of different races, color, national origins, genders and sexual orientations.
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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 started 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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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, particularly during a mid-term election year.
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ACSA would like to thank all of our annual sponsors and our key supporters of education. We are grateful for all of your support throughout the year. Cheers! |
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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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