Welcome to the 229th 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.
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Watershed Distillery Releases Bottled-in-Bond and New Blended Bourbon |
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Columbus, Ohio-based Watershed Distillery is unveiling its reimagined bourbon portfolio which releases on July 1 and includes not one, but two new bourbon products that celebrate the brand’s experience and bourbon-making credentials. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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TTB Extends Authorizations on Production of Hand Sanitizer |
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This week, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) issued the following public guidance:
Due to the continued consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the continuation of the Food and Drug Administration’s temporary guidance related to the manufacture of hand sanitizer and denatured alcohol for use in hand sanitizer, TTB is extending the authorizations provided in TTB G 2020-1B through September 30, 2021. TTB will continue to monitor the circumstances to determine whether other extensions or modifications to this guidance are warranted in the future. TTB may modify or discontinue this guidance prior to September 30, 2021 if FDA discontinues its guidance prior to that date.
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USDA Launches Program for Craft Distillers to Showcase Products in India |
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ACSA knows route to market is challenging. Multiple obstacles prevent product placement. As a result, we continuously look for business opportunities for you, particularly in areas which impact your ability to sell your spirits. ACSA is working with USDA to highlight those programs which may have an impact on your growth. Here's one of the latest programs which you might not wish to pass up!
As the world’s largest whiskey consumer at 1.9 billion liters in 2020, India provides a multitude of opportunities for U.S. distilled spirits. In 2020, distilled spirits exports to India reached $215 million, supplied primarily by the United Kingdom and the European Union. To capture greater market share and generate enthusiasm and demand for U.S. alcohol, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Offices of Agricultural Affairs in India (New Delhi and Mumbai) have launched the Alcoholic Beverage Market Promotion Program to bring in premium, never-before-seen U.S. craft spirits and wines into India at a low cost to U.S. distilleries, wineries, and exporters. Our offices will exhibit these samples to leading importers, hotel and restaurant managers, and influencers through in-person master classes and tasting sessions, where U.S. participants will be able to showcase their products to participants through a virtual exchange.
USDA will cover paperwork and shipping costs using a consolidated shipper in California to deliver to India. Participating U.S. distilleries are encouraged to provide at least five 750-mL bottles of each beverage product line you want to feature, which will cover the number of samples to be distributed during planned events in Mumbai and Delhi. Distilleries are also welcome to provide additional quantities, particularly sample-size bottles that can be delivered to potential buyers, as well as educational/promotion materials such as brochures and giveaway items, as appropriate.
Samples should be delivered no later than July 16 for this 2021 summer promotion program.
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Enter Two Spirits, Get Third Free! |
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Registration for the third biennial Heartland Whiskey Competition is now open. The competition is open to craft whiskeys from all 50 states that incorporate corn in their mash bill. Top mixologists, brand ambassadors and whiskey aficionados will judge the competition.
Through June 30, enter two of your spirits and get the third one free!
The deadline for entries is July 14 with a spirits delivery deadline of July 18.
This competition is generously sponsored by the following state corn association marketing boards. ACSA extends very special thanks to all of them for their support.
- Colorado Corn Administrative Committee
- Illinois Corn Marketing Board
- Indiana Corn Marketing Council
- Iowa Corn Promotion Board
- Kansas Corn Commission
- Kentucky Corn Promotion Council
- Ohio Corn Marketing Program
- The Corn Marketing Program Of Michigan
- Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council
- Missouri Corn Merchandising Council
- Nebraska Corn Growers Association
- New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association
- Corn Growers Association of North Carolina
- North Dakota Corn Council
- Texas Corn Producers
- Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board
- Tennessee Corn Promotion Council
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ACSA, Alcohol Associations Urge Congress to Fully Fund TTB |
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The American Craft Spirits Association is among a dozen beverage alcohol associations that are urging Congress to fully fund the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for the fiscal year ahead at the administration’s requested funding level of $131,330,000. Representatives from the associations made the request via a letter to Congressional leaders, noting their appreciation of TTB’s efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the alcohol industry. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Craft Spirits Podcast: Lew Bryson |
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Lew Bryson—author of “Tasting Whiskey” and “Whiskey Master Class”—recently joined CRAFT SPIRITS magazine editor in chief Jeff Cioletti for a conversation about writing and recent trends in spirits and beer.
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Du Nord Craft Spirits Wins Awards from The Fifty Best |
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Du Nord Craft Spirits of Minneapolis recently won big in The Fifty Best’s Best Liqueur awards, based out of New York City. The Café Frieda coffee liqueur and the Apple liqueur were both awarded double gold medals. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Cedar Ridge Earns Awards from John Barleycorn Society |
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Two whiskeys from Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, Iowa, received top honors from the John Barelycorn Society of writers and marketers. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Copperworks Unveils American Single Malt Whiskey Release 038 |
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Copperworks Distilling Co. of Seattle announced that its American Single Malt Whiskey Release 038 is now on the shelves at the distillery and in the online store. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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U.S. Gin Association Announces Formation |
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A new craft spirits organization has been created to progress the affinity and passion for the gin category in the U.S. amongst distillers, the beverage trade (on- and off-premise stakeholders), and media while celebrating the innovation within this growing category. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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DV8 Evolves into Safe Space for Queer Community in Boulder |
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Founded in 2016, DV8 Distillery initially launched its distillery to create a variety of rice-based and gluten-free spirits, including vodka, gin, whiskey, flavored vodkas and liqueurs. While the distillery’s unconventional approach to alcohol continues to grow, it was the eccentric, safe-space, inclusive atmosphere that paved a new era for the queer community in Boulder, Colorado. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Register for Upcoming Webinars |
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Wyoming Whiskey Raises Over $120K for National Park Foundation |
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Wyoming Whiskey this week announced the brand has raised over $120,000 in partnership with the National Park Foundation. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Announces Changes to Top Leadership |
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The Board of Directors of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announces the resignation of Caroline Rosen as president of the organization. The Foundation will remain under the direction of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Board of Directors co-chairs, Gary Solomon, Jr. and Neal Bodenheimer, and CEO Eileen Wayner, who has been serving the organization since early 2019. (CraftSpiritsMag.com)
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Access Assets to Advocate for DtC |
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ACSA has a collection of resources for guilds and distilleries to advocate for DtC changes, including a postcard to send to legislators, model guidelines necessary for elements of a model DtC bill, talking points and FAQs about DtC. |
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Join Us for Craft Spirits Live on Instagram |
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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.
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Got a question? ACSA's got the answer. |
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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. |
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Read the Latest Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
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The American Craft Spirits Association proudly presents the May 2021 issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine. In our cover story, distillers around the nation weigh in on their adventures with heirloom corn. As our editor in chief writes, "Many, perhaps most, of you don’t work with heirloom corn (or even make whiskey, for that matter), but the piece is about all of you. That’s because craft spirits, regardless of what fermentable substrate you use, is an heirloom industry."
This issue also includes:
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Send News to CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine
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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.
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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.)
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