Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 181st 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). If you are not a member, learn more about joining here .
Stay Connected and Join Us for the Craft Spirits Virtual Summit
While some portions of the country are reopening after initial stay-at-home orders, ACSA realizes that extensive travel and in-person meetings are currently impossible for most people. But we also know that it's never been more important to stay connected with each other. That's why we are thrilled to present an exciting digital gathering for the entire community of craft spirits producers and suppliers.

Please join us Aug. 11-12 for Craft Spirits Virtual Summit: A New Journey. Via an engaging, innovative online platform, we will join together —from the safety and comfort of our homes and craft distilleries— for a program tailored for these times. The Summit will feature:

  • Opportunities to network with distillery owners, operators and suppliers 
  • Educational presentations designed and led by industry experts for the current and post-COVID-19 world
  • A virtual trade show floor and the ability to connect with suppliers at their booths
  • Plus much more!

Registration is now open for members and exhibitors. For questions, please contact ACSA's Operations Administrator Teresa McDaniel at  teresa@americancraftspirits.org  or (502) 807-4249. Exhibitors: Click here to see a booth demo.
Let's Be Direct: The Push for DtC Shipping
Regulatory relief for distillers has come in many forms during the COVID-19 crisis, but among the most consequential of those has been the short-term allowance, in many U.S. states, for direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping. In the cover story of the July issue of Craft Spirits magazine, we explore the struggles behind the fight to make DtC shipping permanent. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
ACSA Board of Directors Elections Open Through July 21
ACSA's Board of Directors elections opened on Tuesday and will close at midnight on July 21. If you are an eligible voting member and have not received a ballot, please contact Carason Lehmann , ACSA's Member Services & Social Media Coordinator. To learn more about the process and the candidates, click here .
Garrison Brothers Announces Release of HoneyDew Bourbon
Garrison Brothers Distillery , the first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, this week announced its 2020 release of  HoneyDew , the latest addition to the company’s portfolio of ultra-premium, Texas-born bourbon whiskies. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
FDA Warns Consumers About Hand Sanitizers Containing Methanol
As part of continued action to protect the American public, the  U.S. Food and Drug Administration  is warning consumers and health care professionals about hand sanitizer products containing methanol, or wood alcohol—a substance often used to create fuel and antifreeze that is not an acceptable active ingredient for hand sanitizer products and can be toxic when absorbed through the skin as well as life-threatening when ingested. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Freeland Spirits  announces distribution in Illinois, Florida, and New York through new relationships with online retailer Spirit Hub in Illinois (with H2Vino in the distributor role) and online distributor LibDib in Florida and New York. Freeland is Oregon’s only craft distillery owned and operated by women. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
The New York Times Features Story on Du Nord Craft Spirits
From the pandemic to protests to arson, Du Nord Craft Spirits has dealt with repeated turmoil and emerged with a new purpose. (The New York Times)
Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram
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

July 15: Gina Holman, J. Carver Distillery
July 16: Jessica Lemmon, Cart/Horse Distilling Co.
July 21: Tanya Smith, Driftless Glen Distillery
July 22: Jeff Kanof, Copperworks Distilling Co.
July 29: Nick Scarff, Next Century Spirits
August 5: Gabe Spencer, Whistling Andy Distillery

Not sure how Instagram Live works? Click here to learn more.
Distillery 291 Releases 291 E Colorado Whiskey Batch #7
Continuing to push the limits of whiskey production,  Distillery 291’s  newest 291 E Batch #7, “Experimental Whiskey,” is now available for purchase at the Colorado Springs, Colorado, tasting room, as well as a very limited release within the Colorado market. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
As part of this year’s  Glencairn Glass  20th Anniversary milestone, the award-winning family-owned Glencairn Crystal has launched The Glencairn Glassroom: a compilation of behind-the-scenes Q&A conversations with some of the most innovative and trailblazing American distillers. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Old Forge Distillery Releases Cyclone Jim 12 Y.O. Single Barrel Bourbon
Old Forge Distillery  has released a limited edition, 12-year-old, single barrel Tennessee bourbon. It is named in honor of a hardworking, historic resident of the distillery’s hometown of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, who just happened to be a horse. (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 .
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Launches Free Virtual 360 Tour of Distillery
The  Bardstown Bourbon Co.  of Bardstown, Kentucky, is proud to become the first Nelson County bourbon distillery to launch a complete virtual 360 tour of its entire grounds and facilities online and free to the public. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Bedlam Vodka Expands Into 14 New States via Restaurant Partnership
Graybeard Distillery has announced that  Bedlam Vodka  is continuing its national expansion, entering 14 additional states as it is now featured on Firebirds Wood Fired Grill’s menu in the restaurant’s “Summer Breeze” cocktail in all US locations. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Spirit Hub Hires Jennifer Carr-Smith
Chicago-based Spirit Hub, a private e-commerce company that sells hundreds of craft spirits brands to consumers through its website and app, this week announced the hiring of retail, e-commerce, grocery and CPG veteran Jennifer Carr-Smith as a non-executive advisor. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Members in the Media
A Roundup of Stories, Videos and More Featuring ACSA Members
ACSA Extends Membership Term by Additional Three Months
As distillers continue to operate during a difficult time of uncertainty, ACSA is extending its membership term by three months at no additional cost for existing members, and new members will receive a 15-month membership for the price of 12 months. Read more about the decision 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
In case you missed it, the latest issue of Craft Spirits magazine is online. Click here or on the cover photo to read the full issue.
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.)