Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 19th 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.
Georgia Gov. Signs Direct Sales Bill Into Law  

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal just made sweeping changes to the state’s alcohol regulations official, signing Senate Bill 85 into law on Monday. The legislation allows distilleries and breweries to sell directly to consumers, and it will go into effect Sept. 1. (Eater Atlanta)

Triple-Threat: Distillery, Winery, Brewery Combo Opens in Michigan

After an approval process riddled with obstacles, a new brewery, winery and distillery will celebrate its grand opening in Holland Township, Mich. Friday. This week, Jim and Joanne Granzotto proudly showed off the nearly finished Great Legs Winery Brewery Distillery. (WOODTV.com)
Louisville’s Rabbit Hole Partners with Death & Co. for On-Site Bar
The $15 million under-construction Rabbit Hole Distillery has bigger plans than its 24-inch column still may suggest. The distillery tapped Proprietors LLC, owner of the famous New York bar Death & Co., to create a $1.5-million restaurant and bar. Rabbit Hole said there’s no name or menu established for the new restaurant operation, which is expected to open Spring 2018. (FredMinnick.com)

New Book Chronicles North Carolina’s Distilling History 

When most people wax poetic about distilled spirits in North Carolina, they focus on the state’s storied past—moonshine gulped from Mason jars, stills hidden in piney underbrush and daredevil drivers running liquor along twisting Piedmont roads. North Carolina author and journalist John Francis Trump weaves plenty of history into his new book, “Still & Barrel: Craft Spirits In the Old North State,” which is being released this week. (News & Observer)   

Patent Office Approves Use of Word ‘Glen’ in North Dakota Single Malt

While you can't take the Scotch out of Scotland, a distillery in North Dakota has shown that you can share the glen with Glenlivet. Proof Artisan Distillers last month finished a more than two-year process to trademark its Glen Fargo American Malt Whiskey, a homegrown spirit named for both the state's largest city and the valley where it sits. (News & Observer)

Sagamore Will Again Be Exclusive Rye During Preakness

Sagamore Spirit will be the exclusive rye whiskey for the second year in a row during Preakness weekend. The whiskey will be sold at Pimlico Race Course for Black-Eyed Susan Day on May 19, and Preakness Day on May 20. (WBAL-TV)

Portland’s Eastside Distilling Acquires Controlling Stake in Big Bottom

Eastside Distilling, Inc. announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Big Bottom Distilling, a Hillsboro, Ore.-based distiller of award-winning and super-premium gins, whiskeys, brandies, rum and vodka. (BevNet)

Black Button to Release Lilac Gin      

Rochester, N.Y.’s Black Button Distilling will launch its hand-crafted, limited-edition Lilac Gin on Friday, May 12, to commemorate the first day of Rochester’s annual Lilac Festival and mark the start of the spring season. (The Drinkable Globe)

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