Welcome to the 188th 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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DEADLINE IN 5 DAYS: Respond to the Craft Spirits Data Project Survey
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If you have not already completed it, please complete your survey today. If someone else within your distillery is better qualified to answer, please alert them right away.
Since the Craft Spirits Data Project first launched in 2016, we (together with Park Street and the IWSR) have demonstrated substantial growth in terms of sheer numbers of DSPs, and volume and value in the craft spirits industry. That information has been critically important to educate the U.S. Congress on the impact of your small business on jobs, among other items.
This year, survey results are even more vital as we continue to fight for relief, in the form of a continued (or permanent) FET reduction and additional economic stimulus, as we know many of your tasting rooms have been compelled to close.
Fifteen minutes of your time today could make a substantial difference in years to come. Please help us understand the state of our industry.
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ACSA & the Alcohol Industry Call for 9/9 Day of Action on FET Relief |
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The craft alcohol coalition, including the American Craft Spirits Association, is calling for a Day of Action on September 9 to advocate in Congress for our Federal Excise Tax (FET) relief. This is in addition to the ACSA/DISCUS Public Policy Conference that will take place the following week.
We will be calling on each one of you to contact your Senators and Representative to ask them to consider inclusion of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (H.R. 1175/S. 362) in the next appropriate legislative package. It is critical that we get this bill passed as soon as possible, so we have certainty of this much-needed appropriate tax rate. Time is running out and Congress must act before December 31, 2020 to avoid a large excise tax increase for all of our small businesses.
ACSA will be back in touch with the membership as this day approaches, but please mark your calendars for September 9 to take action for our tax bill. Continued excise tax relief is NOT a done deal until Congress acts. Your voice is the encouragement that is needed.
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Garrison Brothers Distillery Raises $400K for COVID-19 Relief |
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In April 2020, Garrison Brothers Distillery launched Operation Crush COVID-19, a fundraising campaign to help American communities recover and rebuild from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The initiative raised $400K by pivoting and dedicating the release of its rarest, most exclusive, top-shelf bourbon called Laguna Madre. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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Copperworks Releases 2 Gins Finished in Islay Scotch Whisky Casks |
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Copperworks Distilling Co. released two limited-edition gins today: Copperworks Gin finished in used casks from two renowned distillers of peated Scotch whisky, Laphroaig and Caol Ila. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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Workers at Tattersall Distilling Vote to Unionize |
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A majority of employees at Tattersall Distilling in Minneapolis have voted to unionize, joining the hospitality workers’ union, Unite Here Local 17. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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Register Now for Annual Public Policy Conference Sept. 15-16 |
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Distillers from across the country will gather virtually Sept. 15-16 for the distilled spirits industry’s annual Public Policy Conference co-hosted by the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS). |
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New Deal Distillery to Release Series of 5-Year Malt Whiskeys |
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This fall, Portland, Oregon’s New Deal Distillery will release a series of 5-year malt whiskeys, debuting a new offering in September, October, and November. Each small batch selection explores a different combination of traditional and experimental grains, giving each whiskey in the trio a unique profile. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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Treaty Oak Unveils The Day Drinker Texas Bourbon |
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Texas-based Treaty Oak Distilling has announced the launch of its newest bourbon, The Day Drinker Texas Bourbon. Much like Treaty Oak’s award-winning flagship offering, Ghost Hill Texas Bourbon, The Day Drinker Texas Bourbon is a 100% Texas-made, grain-to-glass bourbon that’s born from Texas wheat and yellow no.1 corn from Barton Springs Mill, proofed using limestone-filtered water and aged for one year under the hot Texas sun. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Shots Box to Launch Whiskey Club in September |
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Shots Box, a bi-monthly whiskey subscription and retail experience that brings craft spirits from around the country directly to the consumer’s doorstep, announces the launch of the Whiskey Club, available starting Sept. 16, 2020. Based around the idea that consumers should be able to sample whiskey before committing to a full bottle, the club hopes to expose and educate its members on the subtleties and nuances of different whiskeys from distilleries across the U.S.(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 new 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 2: Meagan & Patrick Miller, Talnua Distillery
September 9: Thomas Mote, Balcones Distilling
September 16: No Craft Spirits Live Due to Public Policy Conference
September 23: TBA
September 30: Alex Castle, Old Dominick Distillery
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Nightclub & Bar Show Cancels 2020 Edition |
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Questex, the parent company of Nightclub & Bar Show scheduled for October 19-21, 2020 inside the Las Vegas Convention Center, has been forced to cancel due to the current State of Nevada virus mitigation mandate limiting group gatherings to 50 people or fewer. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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Bardstown Bourbon, Copper & Kings Collaboration Now Available |
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The Bardstown Bourbon Co. is rolling out a new expression in collaboration with Louisville-based distillery Copper & Kings American Brandy Company. The latest addition to Bardstown’s Collaborative Series, this product is a nine-year-old Tennessee bourbon finished for 18 months in Destillaré Orange Curaçao barrels.(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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MGP Releases Rossville Union Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey |
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MGP has launched its first Single Barrel release for Rossville Union Rye. Rossville Union Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey is a bottled-in-bond (100-proof) specialty release offered in two mash bills. (CraftSpiritsMag.com) |
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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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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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