Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 263rd 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.
Venus Spirits to Release El Ladrón Yolo Made with California Agave
Venus Spirits of Santa Cruz, California, will be expanding the line of El Ladrón agave spirits with a new release made entirely from agave grown in Yolo County California, and fermented and distilled in Santa Cruz. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
New York Distilling Releases Dorothy Parker Rose Petal Flavored Gin
New York Distilling Co., of Brooklyn, New York, has announced the seasonal release of its pink-hued, rose petal variation of its multi-award-winning Dorothy Parker Rose Petal Flavored Gin. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Last Call: March 8 Deadline Nears for ACSA Board of Directors Nominations
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.
Register Now for ACSA's Judging of Craft Spirits
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

ACSA members must be logged in to receive the discounted member rate. Login here. If you forgot your login or need to check membership status, please contact membership@americancraftspirits.org.
Join Us for the 9th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show
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 while our early bird rates are in effect until April 1!
Kentucky Cooperage to Invest $4.1 Million, Create 20 Jobs
This week Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced barrel producer Kentucky Cooperage LP Ltd., a subsidiary of Independent Stave Co. (ISC), will expand its existing used barrel operation in Marion County with a more-than-$4.1 million investment that will create up to 20 full-time jobs. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Garrison Brothers Announces 2022 Bourbon Brawl
Garrison Brothers of Hye, Texas, is proud to announce its annual cocktail competition: The 2022 Bourbon Brawl. The search for Bourbon Brawl Bartender of the Year begins with open online submissions beginning on March 1. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Lost Lantern Spring 2022 Collection Highlights Tradition & Innovation
Lost Lantern, the new independent bottler of American whiskey that launched less than 18 months ago, is pleased to announce its spring 2022 collection, featuring four limited edition single casks from four celebrated distilleries: Smooth Ambler in West Virginia, Westward in Oregon, Frey Ranch Distillery in Nevada and Spirit Works in California.(CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Register for Upcoming Webinars
Sagamore Spirit Releases Rum Cask Finish Rye Whiskey
Sugar and spice are teaming up as unexpectedly ideal partners this spring in Baltimore-based Sagamore Spirit’s newest limited-edition rye whiskey: Sagamore Spirit Reserve Series Rum Cask Finish Rye Whiskey, announced this week by the award-winning distiller. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Craft Spirits Podcast: Heather Greene of Milam & Greene Whiskey
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. 
ecoSPIRITS, Park Street Partner on Sustainable Spirits Technology
ecoSPIRITS, a low carbon, low waste spirits distribution technology, announced it has partnered with Park Street to bring its closed-loop distribution system to the U.S. market. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Arryved Highlights Community Table with New Look
Arryved—the Boulder, Colorado-based point-of-service (POS) provider for craft beverage and food establishments—highlights people and community in its rebrand, which launched today. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Kástra Elión Vodka Makes U.S. Debut
Kástra Elión Vodka, a family-owned spirit from Greece that is three generations in the making, is now available in the U.S. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
Join us in the V.I.P. Lounge
We are very pleased to announce the first of our series of virtual happy hours for V.I.P. Lounge supporters at the $40 and $60 levels. Craft spirits icon Lance Winters of St. George Spirits will be joining us for the first edition on March 17, at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT. Sign up for the V.I.P. Lounge to ensure that you get a chance to hang out with Lance via Zoom.
Read Our Latest Issue
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!
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.
In Case You Missed It
How to Close the Books on Hand Sanitizer
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.
ACSA Starts Facebook Group for Voting Members
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.
The ACSA PAC Needs Your Support
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.
 
The easiest way to engage and learn more is to go to our website and log in to ACSA. 
 
Should you have any questions about ACSA’s PAC, or ACSA’s public policy initiatives, please write to `acsapac@americancraftspirits.org.
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.)
Thank You, Sponsors!
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!