Vol. 306

From the editors of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, Craft Spirits Weekly is produced by the American Craft Spirits Association for its members. Not a member? Click here to join.

This week, we're focusing on a special release from Koloa Rum Co.; educational offerings at our upcoming convention; and more!

CONVENTION

Register Now Before Rates Rise in Mid-January

Better With Age is the theme for ACSA’s 10th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show this February 10-12 in Portland, Oregon. We listened to your ideas and feedback and truly plan to make this show Better with Age, from the layout of the expo hall to ensuring education is only 100 steps from the trade show floor!

Register now before rates increase on Jan. 15 and don't forget to book your room by the same date.

Discover a Wide Range of Educational Offerings

We listened to your ideas and feedback, and focused specifically on the production/safety, sales/marketing and business/leadership areas of your business, that will be taught by the luminaries in the craft spirits industry.

Here are some new topics with brief descriptions in the following specialty areas of your business:

Production/Safety: The Importance of Sensory Analysis: Distillation and Maturation

We will offer producers insight on what to look for when releasing a product. The overall goal is to understand the importance of sensory evaluation throughout the distillation and maturation process, and to teach attendees how to balance flavors when blending.

Sales/Marketing: Growing Club Program Revenue & Loyalty

You will learn how to design and build a club program that supports your business with recurring revenue and customer loyalty, without depending on discounting your products. We will also cover the benefits of club programs and take your program to the next level. 

Business/Leadership: Working With Government Officials

In a highly regulated industry, we must actively work with our elected officials and government regulatory agencies. We will discuss how, why and when you should interact with government officials, advocating for your business. In the interaction piece we will discuss who do you talk to, how you figure out who that is and how to make the interaction meaningful. In advocacy we will discuss how to talk about and frame issues in a way that maximizes the impact. We will conclude with an interactive discussion about what has and hasn’t worked for people in the room. 

Plus, here’s another great, fundamental course:

Distillery 101 pre-convention Course

Entering the craft spirits industry, or have a new hire on your team? This 1.5-day course is presented by seasoned industry veterans and will cover equipment selection; material selection; flavor chemistry and biochemistry; distillery safety; pros and cons of tasting rooms; working distributors; building a sales team; distillery finance and MORE! 

This class is generously sponsored by Lallemand

Here are some of the presenters:

• Paul Hletko, FEW Spirits
• Scott Harris, Catoctin Creek Distilling Co.
• Johnny Jeffery, Bently Heritage Estate Distillery
• Mark A. Vierthaler, Whiskey Del Bac
• Amber Pollock, Backwards Distilling Co.
• Courtney McKee, Headframe Spirits
• Tyee Carr, Westward Whiskey
• Gina Holman, J. Carver Distillery

Click here to see the full schedule and to register now.

NEED TO KNOW

Koloa Rum Co., Raiders Partner on Commemorative Bottle

Hawaii’s award-winning Koloa Rum Co. has partnered with the Las Vegas Raiders in creating a limited-edition Kauai Reserve Five-Year Single-Barrel Aged Rum with commemorative bottle and box. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Nominations for the ACSA Board of Directors Due Jan. 23

The ACSA Board of Directors is pivotal to modernizing 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.

If you are interested in running for a board seat, please contact Election Chair, Renee Bemis of Driftless Glen Distillery (Wisconsin) at [email protected]. The deadline is Jan. 23.

Pre-Order 'The ACSA Guide to Starting and Operating a Distillery' E-Book

This spring, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) is launching an exclusive e-book, “The ACSA Guide to Starting and Operating a Distillery.” The peer-reviewed guide is a comprehensive compendium of expert insights detailing all of the tools and techniques that new distilleries need to get their businesses up and running and help ensure a prosperous future. In addition to serving as a textbook for craft spirits producers in their first one to three years in operation, it’s an invaluable resource for onboarding new members of your team, as well as a reference for existing staff to gain a more holistic view of how a distillery operates. 

We have extended the special Pre-Order Discount. If you order by January 31, 2023, you can take advantage of a special discount. The regular price for the e-book will be $199 for ACSA members and $349 for non-members. The Pre-Order Discount price is $129 for ASCA members and $279 for non-members. Please note that if you are an ACSA member, you will need to be logged in to our site to see member pricing.

Mixed-Up Cocktail Co. Reports Strong Growth and Expansion in 2022

Mixed-Up Cocktail Co., the makers of canned cocktails under the parent company Little Toad Creek Distillery, announced the company’s notable 2022 market growth. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

OSHA Injury and Illness Report Deadline Nears

OSHA Form 300A, the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, must be completed and posted by February 1, 2023. The summary must include the total number of 2022 job-related injuries and illnesses that were logged on your OSHA 300 form. 

If your company had no recordable injuries or illnesses in 2022, you must still post the form with zeros on the total line. All summaries must be certified by a company executive and remain displayed in a common area between February 1 and April 30, 2023.

If you have questions, contact Industrial Safety and Training Services.

The United States Bartenders’ Guild announces that T. Cole Newton has been elected president of the guild.

Maraska, the Croatian distiller of the number one imported Slivovitz in the United States, has released a new green walnut and chocolate liqueur.

Barrell Craft Spirits announced the purchase of an historic rickhouse in Shively, Kentucky.

Read the November/December Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine

The November/December issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is here, and our cover story explores the growth of e-commerce and what it means for the future of spirits retail. This issue also features stories about a decade of distilling at Headframe Spirits; crafting eau de vie in Alsace; and more.

Join Us In The V.I.P. Lounge

Our V.I.P. Lounge members receive each issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine one week early, and our $40- and $60-per-year supporters are invited to virtual meet-and-greets with craft spirits icons. To unlock additional bonuses, like a set of CRAFT SPIRITS-branded Glencairn glasses, join us in the V.I.P. Lounge today.

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 [email protected].