Welcome to the 262nd 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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TODAY: ACSA Urges Day of Action for Restaurant Revitalization Fund
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Leaders in the hospitality sector, including the American Craft Spirits Association, are calling on industry advocates across the country to participate in the #HelpHospitality Day of Action today, Feb. 24, to urge their members of Congress to provide additional funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Deadline Nears for ACSA Board of Directors Nominations |
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Members of the ACSA Board of Directors play an integral role in shaping the craft spirits industry. Throughout a three-year term, each member shares a common goal of carrying out ACSA’s mission to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers.
ACSA expresses its gratitude for directors whose terms are about to expire:
- Ryan Christiansen, Caledonia Spirits (Eastern)
- VACANT (Eastern)
- Amber Pollock, Backwards Distilling Co. (Central/Mountain)
- Jeff Kanof, Copperworks Distilling Co. (Pacific)
- Molly Troupe, Freeland Spirits (Pacific)
What are the responsibilities of the Board?
Our Board of Directors is responsible for the overall direction and future of the craft spirits industry. It establishes policy and guides the organization’s growth while ensuring stability. Meetings are typically held four to five times per year (virtually) with an in-person meeting during our annual convention. Additional meetings and a retreat may be held as needed.
Who is eligible to become a Director?
ACSA members in good standing are eligible for nomination and election to our board, including current directors whose terms are expiring. Sound judgment and business acumen, a desire to serve the industry and a willingness to devote sufficient time to their duties are all qualities of the best candidates. The successful nominee will serve a three-year term with representation from three regions: Eastern, Central/Mountain, and Pacific. Pursuant to ACSA bylaws, there will be at least three members and no more than seven from each region, for a total board composition of 15 directors. There are currently five seats available to fill.
If you are interested in running for a board seat, please contact our election chair, Renee Bemis of Driftless Glen Distillery, at renee@driftlessglen.com. You may self-nominate or be suggested by another member of our craft spirits community. Renee will contact you for additional information, so please supply all relevant contact information.
Nominations must be received no later than Tuesday, March 8. National elections will take place shortly thereafter via electronic voting with board seats installed in April.
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Register Now for ACSA's Judging of Craft Spirits |
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Will your spirits grab gold? Register now for ACSA's 9th Annual Judging of Craft Spirits. General registration fees are in effect through March 15. The late-riser fee will be in effect from March 16 until registration closes on March 25. All spirits must be received by March 31.
Fees for ACSA Members
General Fee: $275 per entry
Late Riser: $300 per entry
Fees for Non-Members
General Fee: $375 per entry
Late Riser: $400 per entry
This year, we're headed to High Wire Distilling Co. in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 5 & 6 for your spirits to be tasted and evaluated by a panel of top professionals. Submit your spirits in the following categories:
- Brandy
- Gin
- Ready-to-Drink
- Rum
- Specialty Spirits (absinthe, agave-based products, amaro, aquavit, liqueurs and shochu)
- Vodka & Grain
- Whiskey
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Join Us for the 9th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show |
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We're headed to New Orleans on July 21-24, 2022, for the 9th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show. ACSA is planning a stellar convention with three-plus days in the Crescent City, where 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! Register now, and we can't wait to see you in New Orleans this summer! |
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Driftless Glen Fills 7,000th Barrel |
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Driftless Glen Distillery of Baraboo, Wisconsin, announced that it filled its 7,000th barrel on Feb. 18. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Dogfish Head Debuts New Whiskey |
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Dogfish Head Distilling Co. announces the launch of its latest, limited-edition whiskey, Alternate Takes Volume 3: Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy & Apple Cider Barrels. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Register for Upcoming Webinars |
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Durham Distillery Releases CONNIPTION Gin Pandemic Pivot |
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Like so many independent businesses faced with global supply chain issues, Durham Distillery of Durham, North Carolina, has announced a limited-edition offering: CONNIPTION Gin Pandemic Pivot, the distillery’s award-winning American Dry and Navy Strength gin in a temporary cylindrical new bottle. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Craft Spirits Podcast: Heather Greene of Milam & Greene Whiskey |
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Our latest guest on The Craft Spirits Podcast is Heather Greene, CEO of Milam & Greene Whiskey in Blanco, Texas. She recently joined us to discuss her journey to Milam & Greene and how being a writer helps her as a CEO.
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Talnua to Release Exclusive Anniversary Edition Whiskey |
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Talnua Distillery of Arvada, Colorado, continues its tradition of releasing a unique version of Olde Saint’s Keep on St. Patrick’s Day to celebrate its anniversary and the holiday. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Copperworks Releases American Single Malt Whiskey 041 |
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Seattle-based Copperworks Distilling Co. announced the release of its American Single Malt Whiskey 041, crafted from nine casks of whiskey. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Stoelzle Glass Group and Special Shapes Refractory Co. Join GPI |
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The Arlington, Virginia-based Glass Packaging Institute (GPI) is pleased to announce Stoelzle Glass Group and Special Shapes Refractory Company (SSRC) as GPI’s newest member companies. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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The latest issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is here, and it includes stories on the scarcity of glass bottles, jenever's heritage, a closer look at the medalists from the second annual Craft Spirits Packaging Awards, and much more!
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Join us in the V.I.P. Lounge |
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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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How to Close the Books on Hand Sanitizer |
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is winding down its emergency guidance on hand sanitizer production and recently sent to distillers a notice of intent to inactivate outdated drug listing records. The notice is essentially the FDA telling distillers to clean up their books after the Dec. 31, 2021 deadline to cease production of hand sanitizer and ahead of the March 31, 2022 deadline to cease distribution of hand sanitizer. If you have ceased production and have yet to delist your product, deregister your company and deactivate your labeler code, please follow the instructions here.
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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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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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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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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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