Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 30th 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 the American Craft Spirits Association.

Kentucky-made Gin May Be Next Bourbon-like Boom

In Kentucky, few new distillers would say their main goal is anything but to produce one of the state's key exports: bourbon. But good bourbon requires years of aging before it can make its way to liquor store shelves. That's why eagle-eyed consumers might have noticed that more Kentucky-made clear spirits are hitting the market. (Courier-Journal)
NY Gov. Signs Law Allowing Farm Distilleries to Sell Other Beverages
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation on Tuesday to allow farm distilleries to sell New York-labeled beer, wine, and cider for consumption on their premises. (Times Herald-Record)

Spirit Works Matures Whiskey with Music

There are more than 300 casks of whiskey aging in the Spirit Works Distillery barrel house, each uniquely crafted—different mash, different age, different American white oak barrels. But there are 12 reserved in a different section of the room, stacked against a wall to the left of the entrance to the cavernous hall. Six have headphones stretched across their rounded sides, blaring music from playlists selected by Spirit Works’ employees. (The Press Democrat)
Rebecca Creek Raises $15M in Capital     

San Antonio’s Rebecca Creek Distillery, one of the largest craft distilleries in North America, announced that an investment group led by Dr. Henning Kreke, board chairman of Düsseldorf–based beauty retailer Douglas GmbH and graduate of the University of Texas, has acquired a minority stake in the South Texas distillery. (BevNet)
West Fork Whiskey to Open New Location   

West Fork Whiskey is preparing to join Cannon Ball Brewing in the hot Kennedy-King neighborhood north of East 16th Street In Indianapolis. (Indianapolis Business Journal)

Saxtons River Distillery Plans Expansion and Move

Saxtons River Distillery is planning to move to another main thoroughfare in town. 
"We have grown and have been looking for a good site for two years now," said Christian Stromberg, distillery owner and operator. (Brattleboro Reformer) 

Pilot House Distilling Releases Oregon’s First Canned Cocktail

Oregon is a pioneer in beer, wine, and spirits, but one thing it lacks is ready-to-drink cocktails in cans or bottles, partially due to regulations from the Oregon Liquor Control Commission. But now, thanks to some innovation from a distiller and some help from a state senator and officials at the OLCC, the state is about to see its first canned mixed drinks: Bloody Knuckles Astoria Mary, a canned bloody mary from Pilot House Distilling in Astoria. (Eater Portland)

Raleigh’s Social House Raises $1.7M, Aims to Go National

By year’s end, a facility in Kinston, N.C. will be prepped to distill and ship up to 30,000 cases of vodka in 2018, making Social House the largest vodka maker of the dozen or so located in North Carolina, the founders say. $1.7 million of a planned $4 million investment round is already in the bank helping make it happen. (WRAL Techwire)

ACSA Announces Marketing Track Sessions at Master Class Series
Join Susan Mooney (Spirits Consulting Group), and Matthew Baris (SCG and the founder of Altitude Spirits) in a full-day session to boost your sales and marketing expertise as part of ACSA's Master Class Series.
American Craft Spirits Association | americancraftspirits.org