Vol. 324

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 two surveys to help us best respond to TTB; the launch of the Northwest Whiskey Trail; Montanya Distillers' 15th anniversary; and more!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Please Take Our Surveys to Tell TTB What You Think

Craft distillers face serious challenges every day. We're burdened with extensive reporting requirements. We're kept off shelves and cocktail menus by anti-competitive trade practices. The American Craft Spirits Association knows it, and the TTB knows it too. 

TTB has requested comments on how it might update its reporting requirements and trade practice regulations. ACSA, through its government affairs committee, needs your stories and your opinions to build a compelling response.

Please take 5-10 minutes to complete the following surveys (about 15 minutes if you choose the longer form). ACSA will draft our response with your concerns and comments in mind. Please respond and submit no later than noon ET on Tuesday, May 23.

Reporting Survey

Click here to take the reporting survey.

Trade Practices Survey

Please select below between the short or long version of the trade practice survey (no need to complete both).

Click here to take the SHORT version of the trade practices survey.

Or...

Click here to take the LONG version of the trade practices survey.

If you have any questions, please send a note to legislation@americancraftspirits.org. Thank you!

NEED TO KNOW

Northwest Whiskey Trail Connects Distilleries in Oregon, Washington and Canada

The Northwest Whiskey Trail, the first of its kind to cross an international border, launches today and is ready to welcome enthusiasts and newcomers to the world of single malt and potstill whiskey. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Montanya Distillers Celebrates 15 Years in Business

Crested Butted, Colorado-based Montanya Distiller​s, a craft rum distillery and​ Certified B Corporation, is celebrating its 15-year anniversary in 2023. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Westward Whiskey Introduces Two Malts Rye

Westward Whiskey of Portland, Oregon, introduces its second club release of the year, Westward Whiskey Two Malts Rye (2023). (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Registration Opens for Heartland Whiskey Competition

If you make whiskey, here's an exciting opportunity to claim bragging rights!

The American Craft Spirits Association, along with the Illinois Corn Marketing Board and related corn growers associations in another 20 states, are excited to announce that registration is now open for the fourth biennial Heartland Whiskey Competition. The competition celebrates the cream of the crop—CORN, the key ingredient for eligible entries into this competition.

This competition is open to whiskey entries from all 50 states, but entries from the following states will have a chance to win Best of State: California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.

Please read the judging protocols and the submission guidelines prior to entry.

You must register your whiskey by July 15 and have it received by July 29 to earn your right to display a new gold, silver or bronze medal. This event only happens every two years so don’t let this opportunity pass you by.

Enter early and receive a 25% discount on each spirit entered!

ACSA Members*: $132 per spirit ($175 normally)

Non-Members: $147 per spirit ($195 normally)

*Members must login to receive discounted pricing. Not a member? Click here to join us!

Southern Distilling Co. Legends Series Honors Local Moonshiners

Moonshining is a storied part of North Carolina’s long distilling tradition and Statesville-based Southern Distilling Co. is honoring two of the greats through its Legends Series released this month at the distillery.  (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Eight Oaks Announces Year-round Availability of Veterans Cut

Eight Oaks Farm Distillery of New Tripoli, Pennsylvania, has now made its Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon, Veterans Cut, available to purchase all year long. (CRAFT SPIRITS magazine)

Scroll down for more news.

THE CRAFT SPIRITS PODCAST

Jamie Hunt of Fast Penny Spirits

Our latest guest on The Craft Spirits Podcast is Jamie Hunt of Fast Penny Spirits, a Seattle-based company that makes amaro. In this episode, Hunt discusses her love of amaro and how her former experience as a vp of digital strategy helped her launch Fast Penny during the pandemic. She also shares details about the company’s Pretty Penny giveback program and becoming a Certified B Corporation.

ACSA'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY: Craft Spirits & Food Month

A Four-Course Cocktail Pairing Menu, Courtesy of J. Carver Distillery

This year ACSA is marking its 10th anniversary, and each month we're celebrating with a new initiative. This month we welcome Craft Spirits & Food Month. This week, we're highlighting the menu of a four-course food-and-cocktail pairing event that J. Carver Distillery of Waconia, Minnesota, presented this past Tuesday in collaboration with The Lake Room, a restaurant in Navarre, Minnesota.

First Course and Cocktail Pairing

Tuna Poke

Skin on house chips, ginger soy marinade, avocado, black sesame seeds, wasabi and sriracha cream

Paired with Lake House Vodka Vesper Cocktail

Second Course and Cocktail Pairing

Green Goddess Mini Wedge

St. Pete's bleu cheese, man-candy bacon, soft boiled egg, heirloom tomatoes

Paired with J. Carver Gin and Jam Cocktail

Third Course and Cocktail Pairing

Braised Short rib with Pappardelle

Red wine demi glace, sautéed garlic spinach garnish

Paired with J. Carver Straight Bourbon Lake Room Manhattan Cocktail

Fourth Course and Cocktail Pairing

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding

Toasted brioche, creme anglaise, caramelized bananas

Paired with Runestone Straight Rye Whiskey Infused Sweet 'n Savory Nip

If you have food and cocktail recipes, pairing suggestions or more and want to share them with us, please send a note to news@americancraftspirits.org.

Watch a Video Tribute to a Decade of ACSA

We celebrate the distiller's decade as the American Craft Spirits Association marks its 10th anniversary.

Graton, California-based Redwood Empire Whiskey announced the second allocation of its cask strength whiskey.

New York-based Hella Cocktail Co. announced a new distribution partnership with Rainforest Distribution.

Marianne Eaves announces the debut of Forbidden, a white corn and white winter wheat expression of bold Kentucky bourbon.

Read the Latest Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine

The latest issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is here and this issue highlights all of the medalists from our Third Annual Craft Spirits Packaging Awards. We also explore the challenges and opportunities of exporting; how artificial intelligence is weaving its way into the world of craft spirits; and much more.

E-BOOK

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

In mid-June, 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. The ebook is scheduled to arrive in June.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

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.