Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 246th issue of Craft Spirits Weekly. This newsletter is dedicated to bringing ACSA members 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.
Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show Registration Closes Soon
ACSA's 8th Annual Distillers' Convention and Vendor Trade Show is less than two months away, and we can't wait to see you in-person Dec. 4-6 in Louisville, Kentucky! Get ready to join fellow producers and other industry experts to network, learn, and toast our incomparable, vibrant industry in Derby City. Exhibitor registration closes on Nov. 1, and attendee registration closes on Nov. 21.
Is Your Hotel Room Booked?
ACSA has secured discounted room rates at The Galt House. To book your room, call 502.589.5200 or use the booking link below. Use the code: 021821ACS. The room rate is $189 per night and the room block will be open until November 1. 
Whose Fault Is It?
In this intimate course* during our convention, we will utilize common foods to help connect the dots and encourage the discussion about common faults like geosmin, acrolein, diacetyl, butyric acid, cresols, and lactic acid. This session—led by Ashley Barnes of The Spirits Group—will equip attendees to talk about what they taste, how to discuss and understand what they are tasting, and where the flavors of common faults are coming from. It will also address what to do to prepare if a staff responsible for tasting loses their sensory capabilities due to an event like COVID.

*Separate ticketed event (limited to 12 members)
Get Your Questions Answered From the Comfort of Your Home
Are you unable to travel to our in-person convention? On November 3-4, we are offering five, fully-interactive hours of content spread over two days, including topics on safety, distribution, branding, and social media marketing. Attendees will have the opportunity to type in questions while the presentation is playing and the presenters will be available to answer them in real time. We're also dedicating 10 minutes in between sessions in case there are further questions at the end of the session.

We want to make it easy for you to access ACSA education from the comfort of your home or business, especially at your own convenience. Register by November 1 to secure your spot at the virtual program.


ACSA Members: $249 per person (up to 3 people from the same distillery), $199 per person (4+ people from the same distillery)

When: Wednesday, November 3 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM ET & Thursday, November 4 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM ET

Sessions include:

  • Turning Stillage into Value: One Aspect of the Sustainability Journey – Kurt Rosentrater (Iowa State/Distillers Grain Technology Council)
  • Safety Topic TBD – Gary Yurt (Industrial Safety & Training Services)
  • Naked Malt Whiskey – Jamie Burns (The Family Jones) and Dr. Brigid Meints (Oregon State University)
  • How is Your Relationship With Your Distributor: Are You a Partner or a Pain? – Melissa Katrincic (Durham Distillery)
  • How to Develop a Digital Presence That Drives Sales – Josh Jacobs (Speakeasy Co.)
  • A Crash Course in Distillery Branding – Isaac Arthur and Cody Fague (CODO Design)
  • The Ever-Changing Face of the On-Premise – Matthew Crompton (Nielsen CGA)
  • Five Key Elements in Growing an Effective Safety Culture – Matt Stinchfield (Whalen Insurance/Brewers Association Safety Ambassador)
Good Deeds Malt Whiskey Now Available to Purchase
Good Deeds Malt Whiskey, a malt whiskey blend from nine leading craft whiskey producers, is now available to purchase via Seelbachs. For the first release from Good Deeds Spirits, 100% of proceeds will benefit the STEPUP Foundation, the diversity and inclusion initiative founded by the American Craft Spirits Association.
Tattersall Distilling Launches Corpse Reviver #2 RTD
Minneapolis-based Tattersall Distilling announced today the launch of Corpse Reviver #2, the latest addition to its ready-to-drink cocktail line. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Westward Introduces Fourth Benefit Barrel Release
Portland, Oregon-based Westward Whiskey announces the second 2021 Westward Benefit Barrel release to benefit charities focused on houselessness and food insecurity. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
From the Pages of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
Respecting Vodka
Start discussing vodka with producers of craft spirits, and many of them repeat a common refrain: Vodka keeps the lights on. Especially for a fledgling distillery, they say, it’s almost a necessity to have a packaged vodka available while creating additional products and waiting for aged spirits to mature. Those same distillers, however, are quick to point out that the recipe development and production of the clear spirit should not be an afterthought. On the contrary, craft vodka producers across the country preach the importance of taking the time to make a unique spirit that can maintain flagship status a decade into the future. 
Treaty Oak, Whiskey Myers Announce Partnership
Treaty Oak Distilling, the Texas-based distiller that crafts an awarded lineup of whiskeys, announced a partnership with highly acclaimed country rock band Whiskey Myers. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Ogden’s Own Introduces New Cocktail Bar
Ogden’s Own Distillery of Ogden, Utah, officially announced today the opening of Side Bar—the brand-new, on-site cocktail bar that officially opens to the public on Oct. 27. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Redwood Empire Releases Bottled in Bond Whiskeys
Redwood Empire Whiskey announces the release of its first collection of Bottled in Bond whiskeys: Redwood Empire Rocket Top Straight Rye Whiskey and Redwood Empire Grizzly Beast Straight Bourbon Whiskey. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Oak & Eden Releases Latest Celebrity Collaboration
Oak & Eden has announced the release of the latest chapter of its celebrity product collaboration series, the Anthro Series. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Join us in the V.I.P. Lounge
CRAFT SPIRITS magazine and the American Craft Spirits Association are excited to introduce premium reader experiences with the launch of the V.I.P. Lounge.

While the digital-only magazine will continue to be available at no charge for regular subscribers, we are launching the V.I.P. Lounge to further support our cutting-edge features, business insights and entrepreneurial advice from and for the craft spirits community. For a modest fee, participants can now unlock value-added bonuses, like early access to magazine issues and a set of CRAFT SPIRITS-branded Glencairn glasses.

Will you join us in the V.I.P. Lounge?
Register for Upcoming Webinars
Sunday’s Finest Launches Gold Fashioned RTD
Sunday’s Finest Gold Fashioned, a ready-to-serve Old Fashioned, is now available in selected markets for a suggested retail price of $150. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram
Join ACSA for Craft Spirits Live, our Instagram Live show highlighting producers of craft spirits. Send an email to carason@americancraftspirits.org if you would like to be featured.

Upcoming Guests Include:

Oct. 27: Travis Goodman and Chas Marsh, Jackson Hole Still Works

Nov. 3: Adam Spiegel, Corning & Co.
Read the September Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
In the latest issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, we explore how craft distillers are embracing local ingredients to make vodkas that are anything but neutral; investigate a shortage of cans threatening the growth of ready-to-drink cocktail programs; check in with cocktail bars and restaurants as they navigate uncertainty; and much more.
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.)