The Monthly Mash: July Update

The Monthly Mash

Volume 1.9

Member-Owned, Industry-Driven

ACSA Mission:

To elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers.

From the Desk of Margie A.S. Lehrman, Executive Director

During this month of July, ACSA is actively demonstrating its commitment to fulfill our mission: To elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers.

How?

Take, for example, the ACSA State Guild Strategy meeting taking place in Washington, D.C. next week that will bring together leaders of state guilds/associations to address the collective challenges faced at a local level. Those leaders will then join other distillers from across the U.S. who will walk the halls of Congress to press our elected officials to lower the Federal Excise Tax during ACSA’s Legislative Fly-In. Over 50 distillers will share their own story on how this tax relief will benefit their small business with products so clearly MADE IN AMERICA.

Of course, the Fundraising luncheon for Congressman Kevin Brady, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee (the most important committee with oversight on your tax issues), provides ample opportunity to encourage a stronger climate for your entrepreneurial craft spirits business. Won’t you join us in this effort?

Or, maybe you see our mission come alive in our educational offerings, whether it’s our monthly webinars (featured this month is Pat Heist from Ferm Solutions) or our efforts to help you succeed with our Master Class Series. You asked for more education outside our convention and we are delivering. If you haven’t registered yet, you ARE missing out.

Want some inspiration for a new cocktail? Check out what our Board members are sipping on in an ongoing photo series with your ACSA team.

Finally, maybe you see our mission in our continued work on the Craft Spirits Data Project, the singular effort devoted exclusively to the economic impact you make on the overall alcohol industry. THIS is the last chance for you to take the survey and assist us in updating last year’s study.

While July’s heat typically slows one down, it’s had the opposite impact on your ACSA team. ACSA is on fire!

Cheers -

Margie

Ten Minutes NOW Will Make All the Difference Later

The Craft Spirits Data Project is the ONLY comprehensive study for the craft spirits industry. In our three tiers, retailers and wholesalers already have supplied ample data in support of this project. Have you?

This is your LAST CHANCE to complete the survey located here as we are closing the link on July 31st.

The information collected will help us analyze the economics of the craft spirits industry. Your response will be treated confidentially. If you’ve completed, THANK YOU. If your distillery has yet to do so, PLEASE encourage participation. The primary goal is to represent the growing craft spirits industry and its impact on our economy. Help us make our case that our industry is continuing to grow.

Complete the Survey Here!

Raising Spirits in Washington, D.C.

More than 50 craft spirits producers will be arriving into D.C. during ACSA’s Legislative Fly-In. The Fly-In, July 24th and 25th, takes place on the heels of the State Guild Strategy Meeting, sponsored by ACSA. Distillers will meet with Congressional offices to tell our elected leaders how a reduction of the Federal Excise Tax will provide a much needed relief for their small businesses. Highlights include an evening reception at Republic Restoratives, one of DC’s “hot” new distilleries; hearing remarks from Senator Ron Wyden, the original sponsor of the Senate Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act; a briefing from Theresa McCarthy, Assistant Administrator, Headquarters Operations, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB); and a Congressional Reception for members of the Hill and their staff. Our participating ACSA members will have the added opportunity to serve their favorite spirit and tell the story behind it to the Congressional team present. It’s not too late to join us and we encourage ALL who would like to be a part of this effort. Register here:

If you’ve hibernated in a cooler these past couple of months, you might be unaware of our further opportunity to join Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, in a fundraising lunch at the Capitol Hill Club on July 25th. But, if you’re “in the know,” then you’ve likely already contributed to this exciting event. THIS IS OUR CHANCE TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE. If you cannot attend the luncheon, PLEASE donate to bradyforcongress.gov or write a personal check (no business checks accepted) and alert Tom Mooney (House Spirits - OR), fundraising chair, that you are joining us in these efforts. Tom can be reached at [email protected].

This is your chance to truly be a part of our community of craft spirits producers -- we cannot do this on our own.

CALLING ALL DSPS WHO CARE ABOUT: QUALITY, SALES, AND RUNNING A BUSINESS IN THE BLACK

ACSA’s in-depth and intensive educational series in Denver is NOW open to ALL DSPs. The series takes place at Metropolitan State University of Denver from August 7-12, 2017. Take advantage of the practical education and see a true return on investment. This class series is divided into marketing, finance, and technical tracks to help you improve your product and increase sales. The series' class size of 20 is designed to ensure hands-on, participatory learning. Purchase tickets for one, two or all three tracks.

Convert information into practical knowledge for each DSP attendee.

Want to know how to make and keep money? Then, register for the profit mastery and financial tips course from Steve LeFever. Stick around for the technical track for hands-on lessons from Dr. Pat Heist of Ferm Solutions and Dan Farber of Osocalis Distillery. Go inside the Leopold Bros. distillery to see firsthand the set-up and distillation process of one of our best craft distillers. Finally, get the inside scoop on what works and what doesn’t with marketing advice from The Merz Group, Distill Ventures, Spirits Consulting Group, and Altitude Spirits.

This can’t-miss series is for DSPs looking to grow their brand! Is that you? If so, register here.

Renee Bemis, Co-owner of Driftless Glen, shared some of her team's excitement for the Master Class, "The opportunity for our distillers to work with some of the brightest minds in the industry will be invaluable as our young distillery cements its place in the world of craft spirits. Honing the bright young minds of our distillery personnel is an investment in the future of our company well worth making."

ACSA has also arranged a block of rooms at SpringHill Suites Denver at MSU Denver. To reserve your space, please call Marriott reservations at 1.877.249.9279 or SpringHill Suites Denver at MSU Denver directly at 303.705.7300, and mention ACSA while making your reservation. You can also book online by clicking here. Act fast: ACSA’s group rate of $174 per night expires on 7/31!

Master Class Series at a Glance:

Monday/Tuesday, August 7th & 8th - Finance - A two-day Profit

Mastery Course with Steve LeFever

Wednesday, August 9th - Technical - Yeast and Fermentation with

Dr. Pat Heist from Ferm Solutions

Thursday, August 10th - Technical - "Post-Distillation Maturation:

Wood, Water, Waiting" with Dan Farber, Osocalis Distillery, and a tour

and panel session at Leopold Bros.

Friday, August 11th - Marketing - “Refreshing your Brand” and “Promoting a Unique Spirit” with Mary Kathryn Lo Conte, The Merz Group; "In Your

Own Words - How to be Brilliant at Telling Your Story" with Distill

Ventures, and other marketing material.

Saturday, August 12th - Marketing - A one-day seminar on marketing

and sales topics with Susan Mooney, Spirits Consulting Group, alongside Matt Baris, Altitude Spirits.

Share Your Expertise with the Industry

Do you have something to share with the craft spirits community? Become a presenter at the 2018 ACSA Distillers Convention & Vendor Trade Show in Pittsburgh, PA. We’re looking for passionate, engaging, knowledgeable presenters to share useful tools and must-have knowledge relevant for today’s craft distillers and DSP owners.

Please complete the Call for Presentations application by Monday, August 14, 2017. Our Education Committee will reach out to the top presenters soon afterward to deliver their topics in Pittsburgh.

DISTILLERS CONVENTION & VENDOR TRADE SHOW

March 5th & 6th, 2018

Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

During July, Let Us Quench Your Thirst for Knowledge

The Craft Spirits Classroom is still in session, even during the summer! Join us on Wednesday, July 19th, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm ET, to learn about optimizing distillery yields in beverage alcohol production. This involves going through the production process from grain or other starting material through distillation, highlighting critical areas of importance and giving examples of where other producers have had issues, based on Ferm Solutions' experience with more than 500 distilleries.

As an added bonus, if you sign up for the technical track at ACSA’s Master Class Series in Denver, you’ll be granted free access to this webinar.

For the discount code, ACSA members can email [email protected].

A Cocktail with Your ACSA Team

Sometimes the best way to beat the summer heat is with a refreshing seasonal cocktail. Over the next few months we'll be checking in with our Board members and staff for their favorite, go-to cocktails!

Mike Blaum, the Co-owner and Chief Distiller of Blaum Bros. Distilling Co., chose a State Street cocktail made with Blaum Bros. Oak Reserve Gin.

Welcome Newest Voting and Affiliate Members!

ACSA extends a warm welcome to a few of our newest members:

ZAK Cooperage (KY)
American Vintage Spirits Inc. (IL)
Silver State Stainless (NV)
Leon Thomas (CA)
Henry Farms Prairie Spirits, LLC (WI)
Labrusca, LLC (OK)
Saints & Monsters (IN)
Midland Brewing Co. (MI)

Find out more about becoming a member here.

Regional Focus: Boston, MA

As the heart of the American revolution, it feels fitting to check in with Boston’s craft spirits scene during the month of July. Boston wears its history on its sleeves with cobblestone streets, a swath of museums and historic monuments, and tourists tossing tea bags into Boston Harbor. However, Beantown has managed to keep up with the times. Boston is one of the top cities for tech, design, and, of course, food and drink.

Boston’s craft spirits scene is on the rise with several distilleries and well-curated cocktail bars. Boston’s craft-focused watering holes have paired well with the city’s culinary reputation, offering thoughtful cocktails and delicious food. The Automatic, in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, dishes out upscale comfort food like loaded fries and buffalo fried plantains. Bolstered by a cocktail menu offering classic and expertly prepared drinks, The Automatic has become a quality neighborhood joint for late night eats and great drinks. Another top Cambridge destination is Alden & Harlow in Harvard Square. Chef Michael Scelfo’s menu features elegant and hearty American dishes and a drink list offering breezy, playful options like the “Water You Up To” (Vodka, Watermelon, and Lime) and creative, bold offerings like “Shroom For Improvement” (Mezcal, Mushroom, Lille & Yerba Mate) and “Rye’d or Die” (Rye Whiskey, Charred Serrano Suze, House Sweet Vermouth & Chartreuse). Tucked away in Boston’s South End is Wink & Nod, a food incubator and speakeasy. The subterranean restaurant is quite cozy with leather chairs, intimate tables, and a packed bar. But, the rotating chefs dole out delicious eats and the stellar bartenders whip up bold, seasonal cocktails like “New Girl in Town,” made with Old Genever, Mandarin Cordial, Lime, Orgeat, and Allspice.

Along with craft breweries, craft distilleries are popping up in and around the Boston area. Boston Harbor Distillery, founded by former craft beer superstar Rhonda Kallman, is located in a former mill factory in Dorchester. BHD offers whiskey, liqueurs, and a series of spirits distilled off of Sam Adams beer, tying the knot between the local craft communities. Dorchester is also home to GrandTen Distilling. GrandTen channels the South Boston spirit into their cocktails and produces a series of liqueurs, whiskeys, gins, and more. Privateer Rum, located just a short train ride or drive north of Boston in Ipswich, has been serving Massachusetts with quality products like their True American Rum, Silver Reserve Rum, and Gin Rummy. Privateer, helmed by Head Distiller Maggie Campbell, taps into the history of the Bay State and offers craft consumers expertly-produced spirits. A little south of Boston, right before Cape Cod, is Dirty Water Distilling in Plymouth. Swing by on a Saturday or Sunday to sample a range of vodkas, whiskeys, rum, and more.

Did You Know?

The TTB has issued over 2350 DSPs! Find the full list here.
The Mid-Atlantic region, particularly Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, was once the epicenter of rye whiskey production. Many distilleries opening in the region are hoping to make it so again.
If a consumer orders an Old Fashioned in most of the U.S., they can expect it to be made with either bourbon or rye. If they order an Old Fashioned in Wisconsin, there's a pretty good chance the bartender will deliver a drink made with brandy.
Walt Disney's Dumbo (1941) was one of the first cartoons to explore the impact of alcohol. Remember the scene in which Dumbo, by accident, drinks a bucketful of water laced with moonshine?
Rolling bar carts, currently popular decor in homes, actually were created in the Victorian era. Rather than shakers, tumblers, and swizzle sticks adorning the top of the cart, one would find a proper tea service. Barware replaced a china service, likely during Prohibition, when the cart could be quickly removed from a room.
Don't miss these spirits holidays for the rest of the month:

July 19th - National Daiquiri Day

July 27th - National Scotch Day

July 31st - Black Tot Day [Black Tot Day (31 July 1970) is the name given to the last day on which the Royal Navy issued sailors with a daily rum ration (the daily tot).]

Social Media

Do you have a new spirit release, an upcoming event, or some news to drop?

Follow our social media channels and Tweet at us (@craftspiritsus), connect with us on LinkedIn, or post to our Facebook Page and we'll be sure to share it! Make sure to use the hashtags #ACSA and #CraftSpirits!