Welcome to the 211th 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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ACSA Calls for Action to Support New Bill |
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Last week, U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) introduced the Fairness for Craft Beverage Producers Act (H.R. 1035), a bill to provide parity for tasting rooms and distilleries with respect to SBA loans and the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) borrowing. The bill already has bipartisan co-sponsorship. We are urging members of ACSA and state guilds to contact their Representatives and encourage co-sponsorship of this important bill.
As background, the Second Draw PPP Loan program was authorized as part of the bipartisan COVID-19 relief deal signed into law in December 2020. The program increases the maximum loan amount from 2.5 times monthly payroll costs to 3.5 times for small businesses in the hospitality industry such as restaurants and bars that have faced the greatest impacts of the pandemic. Additionally, the SBA will make principal and interest payments for five additional months for businesses in food service and hospitality for a total of eight months for those with a 7(a) SBA loan. The payments are capped at $9,000 a month. As we all know, our tasting rooms function much like a bar, and just like bars and restaurants, we have been hit hard with closures and restrictions on customers.
ACSA is supporting the bill, and with enough support and co-sponsors in Congress, Rep. Wexton hopes to pass it soon. Please call your Representative in Congress and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 1035.
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Urgent: Survey on Most Important Issue Facing Craft Spirits Closes Friday |
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Now that FET relief is permanent, what do you see as the most important issues facing the craft spirits community? If you haven't already, please take our quick, one-question survey to voice your opinion. The deadline to respond is tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 19.
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Marble Distilling Announces Net-Zero Energy Initiative |
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Marble Distilling Co. of Carbondale, Colorado, announced a new partnership with Chris Davenport, two-time world champion skier, entrepreneur, and environmental activist. This partnership also launches Marble’s goal of production facilities at net-zero by 2022 and the launch of its highly anticipated e-commerce website. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Marble Distilling Releases First Peach Brandy |
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Marble Distilling Co. last week announced the release of Paonia Peach Brandy, its first peach brandy. The inaugural batch was created with hand-picked peaches from Riverside Orchards in Paonia and aged in third-generation American oak casks, formerly filled with Hoovers Revenge Bourbon and Marble’s Gingercello Reserve for three years. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Eight Oaks Farm Distillery Promotes GM to COO |
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Eight Oaks Farm Distillery founder and CEO Chad Butters recently announced the promotion of Carly Butters Snyder to the position of chief operating officer of the distillery in New Tripoli, Pennsylvania. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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10 Days Left to Register at Regular Rate for ACSA's Judging of Craft Spirits |
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ACSA's 8th Annual Judging of Craft Spirits is still open for entries. ACSA takes great pride in conducting a rigorously professional judging program that recognizes the best craft spirits in the categories of Vodka/Grain, Gin, Brandy, Rum, Ready-to-Drink, Whiskey, and Specialty Spirits.
Register now to take advantage of general registration fees until Feb. 28. The late riser fee will be from March 1 until registration closes on March 12.
All spirits must be received by March 17. The competition is open to all producers of craft spirits in the United States. Due to COVID-19 we will not be accepting international entries in this year's competition.
FEES FOR ACSA MEMBERS
General Fee: $250 per entry
Late Riser: $275 per entry
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Distillery 291 Announces New VP of Wholesale Sales & Marketing |
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Colorado Springs-based Distillery 291 is excited to announce Hannah Thomas, Colorado native and hospitality professional, as VP of wholesale sales and marketing, effective immediately. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Pennington Distilling Co. Announces Three New Hires |
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Pennington Distilling Co., an award-winning spirits company in Nashville, Tennessee, announces three new additions to the team. (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 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
February 24th: Jeff Pennington and Carter Collins, Pennington Distilling Co.
March 3rd: Jordan Cotton and John Hayes, Cotton & Reed Distillery
March 10th: TBA
March 17th: TBA
March 24th: TBA
March 31st: Richard Patrick, Cathead Distillery
April 7th: Pia Carusone, Republic Restoratives
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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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The American Craft Spirits Association proudly presents the January issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine.
This issue includes:
- All of the medalists from the inaugural Craft Spirits Packaging Awards
- A feature story on distilleries reviving pre-Prohibition distilleries and brands
- A look at the benefits of using specialty malts
- Alluring cocktail recipes from ACSA members
- And much more!
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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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