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Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 184th 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 Craft Spirits magazine and the American Craft Spirits Association.

While this is normally a members-only benefit, we are distributing this newsletter to all DSPs as a public service during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are also offering a 15-month membership for the price of 12 months (existing members will receive an additional three months). This offer will expire on Sept. 1. If you are not a member, learn more about joining here .
ACSA Announces New Board Members
The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) this week announced the re-election of veteran Board members Jake Holshue of Rogue Ales & Spirits (OR) and Colin Keegan of Santa Fe Spirits (NM), as well as the election of three new distillers to the Board of Directors: Gina Holman of J. Carver Distillery (MN), Jessica J. Lemmon of Cart/Horse Distilling (PA), and Tom Potter of New York Distilling Co. (NY). The installation follows a digital election, with voting participation from nearly 70% of the organization’s membership.
Register Now for Craft Spirits Virtual Summit: A New Journey
ACSA's Craft Spirits Virtual Summit: A New Journey is just 12 days away. While we would love to see everyone in person, we are thrilled to present this digital gathering for the craft spirits community to learn, network and celebrate.

With our group rates, members and non-members alike can save hundreds of dollars when registering their entire team. And considering that they can attend from the comfort of home or your distillery—without the need for travel and accommodations—this virtual summit presents the ideal time and place to gather your entire team alongside the craft spirits community. 

If you haven’t already signed up, please register now and join us on Aug. 11-12 . If you're curious to learn more or see our lineup of educational presentations, click below.
Boot Hill Distillery Breaking Ground on Multi-Year Expansion Project
Boot Hill Distillery  of Dodge City, Kansas is breaking ground on the first phase of a multi-year expansion project, whose initial phase will include the construction of a rickhouse to age barrels and a warehouse for inventory and supplies. Additional phases will include buildings for packaging, warehousing, additional rickhouses, malt houses and other agri- tourism facilities. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Craft Spirits Data Project Survey Responses Due Aug. 13
Attention all owners/operators or team members of a distilled spirits plant:

Since the Craft Spirits Data Project (CSDP) first launched in 2016, we (together with Park Street and the IWSR) have demonstrated substantial growth in terms of sheer numbers of DSPs, and volume and value in the craft spirits industry. That information has been critically important to educate the U.S. Congress on the impact of your small business on jobs, among other items.

This year, survey results are even more vital as we continue to fight for relief, in the form of a continued (or permanent) FET reduction and additional economic stimulus, as we know many of your tasting rooms have been compelled to close.

Please complete your survey no later than Aug. 13. If someone else within your distillery is better qualified to answer, please alert him or her right away. And, as a reminder,  all responses will be kept confidential with reporting in the aggregate.

Fifteen minutes of your time today could make a substantial difference in years to come. Please help us understand the state of our industry.
Old Dominick Distillery  of Memphis, Tennessee, will introduce a Straight Wheat Whiskey and a Blend of Straight Whiskeys to the Huling Station lineup beginning Aug. 1. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Copperworks Announces New Release and Availability Outside U.S.
Copperworks Distilling Co.  of Seattle announced the release of its second whiskey of the summer, and that its American Single Malt Whiskey will soon be available in many countries outside of the U.S. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
The 2020 DISCUS/ACSA Public Policy Conference that typically takes place in Washington, D.C. each year will take place virtually Sept. 15-16, and registration is now open.

This conference provides industry executives with the opportunity to engage directly with lawmakers in the nation’s capital and advocate for issues vital to the industry. Given the unprecedented challenges affecting the country, there is no more important time for our voice to be heard in Washington D.C. Please stay tuned for more details.
Lew Bryson: The Rebirth of Minnesota’s Du Nord Craft Spirits
Du Nord Craft Spirits was partially destroyed by riots brought on by the killing of George Floyd. The Minneapolis distillery has created a foundation to help its neighbors. (The Daily Beast)
Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram
Join ACSA for Craft Spirits Live, our new 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

August 5: Gabe Spencer, Whistling Andy Distillery
August 12: No Craft Spirits Live due to Craft Spirits Virtual Summit
August 19: Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest, Inc.
August 26: P.T. Wood, Wood’s High Mountain Distillery
September 2: TBA
September 9: Thomas Mote, Balcones Distilling

Not sure how Instagram Live works? Click here to learn more.
Newport Distilling’s Thomas Tew Rum Named Official Rum of Mets
Newport Craft Brewing & Distilling Co. , a Newport, Rhode Island-based craft brewery and distillery, recently announced an agreement with the Major League Baseball Club New York Mets to have its Thomas Tew Rum brands (Thomas Tew Single Barrel and Thomas Tew Spiced rums) named as the club’s official rum. Exact terms of the deal were not made public. The first Rhode Island distillery in more than 135 years, Newport Craft was named a top 10 craft rum distillery in the U.S. by USA Today in 2019.  (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Bar Convent Brooklyn Launches Educational Series
Bar Convent Brooklyn , in partnership with legal firm  DiPasquale & Summers (D&S) , kicked off a series of informational and educational webinars, Q&A videos and online content. To continue to offer support and act as a resource for the hospitality community, Laws & Libations served by DiPasquale & Summers, will offer practical and timely updates on the rapid changes in legislation that are affecting the industry.  (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Rock Town Distillery Receives Honors from Ultimate Spirits Challenge
Rock Town Distillery  of Little Rock, Arkansas, is pleased to announce its Four Grain Sour Mash Bourbon Whiskey has scored a 95/100 and was named one of the top 100 spirits in the 2020 Ultimate Spirits Challenge held in Hawthorne, New York. Rock Town’s  Chocolate Malt Bourbon  scored a 93/100 and its  Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey  scored a 92/100.  (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Reminder: Importance of Registering Sanitizer
Recently, ACSA leadership met with the FDA and the biggest takeaways were the importance of following current FDA guidelines and the necessity  to register  if you are producing hand sanitizer, packaging or labeling for distribution (either for sale or donation). You must also register with the FDA if you are manufacturing ethanol for use by others in making sanitizer.

If you believe a distillery is producing or distributing hand sanitizer or ethanol in a manner that is inconsistent with recent federal regulations and guidelines published for use during the COVID-19 public health emergency, please click here .

And if you haven't already added your distillery to our list of DSPs producing hand sanitizers, click here .
Members in the Media
A Roundup of Stories, Videos and More Featuring ACSA Members
Expiring Soon: Get a 15-month Membership for the Price of 12 Months
As distillers continue to operate during a difficult time of uncertainty, new and lapsed ACSA members are receiving a 15-month membership for the price of 12 months. This offer will expire on Sept. 1.
Got a question? ACSA's got the answer.
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.
Read the Latest Issue of Craft Spirits Magazine
In case you missed it, the latest issue of Craft Spirits magazine is online. Click here or on the cover photo to read the full issue.
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 .
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.)