Craft Spirits Weekly
Welcome to the 106th 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.
Federal Shutdown Keeping New, Limited Releases in Limbo
One of the federal offices closed because of the partial government shutdown is the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Workers approve beer, wine and spirits labels for market. But that process has been corked, and new small-batch releases are not allowed to leave the production facilities. This is causing a stink for breweries and distilleries, such as Manatawny Stillworks craft distillery out of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. (KYW News Radio) 
In Case You Missed It: Federal Government Shutdown Poll
In yesterday's issue of The Monthly Mash, we requested your feedback in a poll about how the Federal government shutdown has affected your business. If you didn't get a chance to respond, we ask that you do so here. We would like to communicate directly to federal lawmakers just how far-reaching the impact is within our industry and ultimately compel them to reopen the government. This request relates to pending applications that were not completed prior to the shutdown (December 22, 2018) and those that have been submitted during the shutdown as of today.
Has the federal government shutdown impacted your business?
Yes
No
Answer the next questions only if you answered 'yes' above.
Has the shutdown delayed TTB formula approval?
Yes
No
Has the shutdown delayed TTB label approval?
Yes
No
Has the shutdown delayed DSP approval?
Yes
No
Has the shutdown impacted COLA waiver requests?
Yes
No
Has the shutdown delayed export certificate approval?
Yes
No
Please provide additional information on the answers you provided above. Please provide the number of outstanding formula and label approvals, COLA waiver requests and/or export certificate requests. E-mail the additional information to legislation@americancraftspirits.org .
First Label-Related Suit Filed in D.C. Since Start of the Shutdown
The Atlas Brew Works company is suing in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia, seeking a temporary restraining order against the government enforcing the COLA rule against it. (Reason)
Room Block Ends TOMORROW! Book Now for ACSA Convention
Join fellow producers and other industry experts for the largest gathering of licensed craft spirits producers in the U.S. We'll be in Minneapolis, Minnesota February 10-12 with some cool pre-convention programs planned. And book your room now to take advantage of the exclusive discount rate of $119/night. The room block expires tomorrow, January 18!
North Carolina's Southern Distilling Co. Offers Contract Distilling Services
Southern Distilling Company (SDC), owned and operated by entrepreneurs Pete and Vienna Barger, is a high-capacity craft distillery located in Statesville, N.C. offering premium contract distilling services to clients around the world. Since opening in 2017, SDC has set out on an aggressive mission of growth and is now, thanks to recent expansion, in a unique position to offer craft spirits production services to new and
existing clients at below-market pricing for a limited period of time. (The Drinkable Globe )  
Complimentary Webinar TODAY: Cleaning, Sanitizing & Safety Practices
Log on TODAY , January 17th at 3 p.m. EST to hear about the best practices and safety precautions when dealing with common chemicals. This complimentary webinar is made possible with the generous support of Haskell. Attendees will leave knowing:
  • The differences between cleaning and sanitizing
  • The three main types of common chemicals and how to use them in your distillery
  • The precautions and considerations you should take into account when cleaning different materials and equipment in your distillery
Blaum Bros. Working to Change Illinois Law Limiting On-Site Sales
The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year for Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. in Galena, Illinois with people stopping in to buy Christmas presents. But with only three weeks left in 2018, the distillery had to stop selling its whiskey, bourbon, and vodka in-store. The shelves in the gift shop were practically bare. That's because Illinois has a law limiting how much craft distilleries can sell out of their own stores. The limit is 2,500 gallons a year. The rest has to be sold to distributors who then sell to other stores. (WQAD)
Opening of Bently Heritage One of Nevada's Most Anticipated Events
The impending opening of the Bently Heritage Estate Distillery is one of the most anticipated events for locals and tourists to the Silver State, according to TravelNevada, the state’s tourism agency. Owner Christopher Bently is expected to open the distillery—one of only four estate distilleries in the U.S.—in the coming weeks. (Northern Nevada Business)
Columbus, OH Distillery Offers NHL Player Free Vodka for Life to Stay Put
Artemi Panarin is one of top young players in the National Hockey League. That's why one local business is making him a sponsorship offer he might not be able to refuse. High Bank Distillery is peddling to Panarin’s Russian nationality, offering him free vodka for life to stay with the Blue Jackets when his contract is up at the end of the season. (WCMH-TV, Columbus)
Pennsylvania's Eight Oaks Partners with Local Food Vendor

Eight Oaks Craft Distillers in Lynn Township, Pennsylvania, is celebrating its third anniversary with some delicious news. The distillery, known for its vodka, whiskey and other spirits made with grains grown on-site, recently formed a partnership with Tre Locally Sourced to provide seasonally-inspired cuisine that is regionally grown or raised. (The Morning Call)
Ohio's Second Sight Spirits Announces Expansion
Second Sight Spirits, the distillery in Ludlow known for its small-batch rum and fortune-telling theme, is expanding. An expansion on its space at 301 Elm St. will provide room for tap room tasting and cocktail service, as well as a stage for entertainment. (Cincinnati.com)
American Craft Spirits Association | americancraftspirits.org