The Monthly Mash: November 2023

Volume 8.11

From the Desk of Margie A.S. Lehrman, Chief Executive Officer

Dear Friends in the Craft Spirits Community:

Looking upon a sad, neglected landscape with rose bushes that need pruning, leaves that need raking, mums which need to be plucked from the soil, and a walkway that demands a good sweeping, I wonder how I prioritize tasks. I question why those chores have yet to be completed. Then I think about how I got through the months of October and November, and planning for executing (both personally and professionally) a slurry of activities into December. I, together with ACSA, have been caught in OND.

At the beginning of the month, we hit the halls of Congress, advocating on issues of importance to grow your business. Remembering that old maxim, “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” we raised our voices in unison and had some fun along the way. Close to 40 of us knocked on doors, shared our stories, and raised our glasses with lots of members of Congress—including staffers who really enjoy craft spirits! Keep reading to see what you missed.

Our efforts to support you didn’t stop there. With no shortage of award programs, set your brand apart from others by registering and medaling in our Craft Spirits Packaging Awards and Judging of Craft Spirits. With registration deadlines looming, you’ll want to act immediately.

Another milestone falls on December 5 when we join to raise our glasses to celebrate 90 years from the repeal of Prohibition. Isn’t it bizarre to think about a nationwide ban of manufacturing, selling, and transporting alcohol? Imagine the toasts that were offered that day? Maybe you’ll join us and offer one of your own. See the link below to participate.

Finally, our hallmark event, the Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show, is now open for registration. We’re beyond excited to see you all in February where we will be “Moving Mountains to Help You Succeed!” Come join your craft spirits colleagues and all who support our efforts.

So, as we finish out the “N” in OND, let’s be mindful of essential tasks while remaining conscious of time to experience joy with our colleagues, family and friends. Don’t neglect registering now for our many programs, particularly to invest in you and your team. You’re worth it! As for me, I’ve put off the task of raking far too long. Off to the garage!

Cheers,

Margie

CONVENTION

Register Now for ACSA’s 11th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show

Exhibitor registration will open on Dec. 1.

This year’s theme, MOVING MOUNTAINS TO HELP YOU SUCCEED, is all about reaching new heights by working together to secure a bright future for craft spirits. You won’t want to miss this convention!

This is the place where producers and the top industry suppliers connect to find solutions to specific business issues and complex challenges within the craft spirits community. Learn from the industry’s best and brightest, who will share their wisdom. From distillers, owners, marketing teams, front of the house, bottlers, brand managers, and sales teams, to equipment and ingredient purveyors, label designers, packaging experts, insurance and compliance experts, to educators and learners, among others…there’s something for anyone who is invested in craft spirits.

Take Advantage of Early Bird Rates and Save $$$

Don’t forget ACSA Members also get a deep savings!

Please note that ACSA members must login to access discounted rates.

Need to join or renew? Click here or contact us.

Program at a Glance

Sunday, February 25

*Distillery 101 Course (Day 1)

*Distillery Tours

Vendor Set Up

STEPUP Graduation (by invitation only)

Monday, February 26

*Distillery 101 Course (Day 2)

Vendor Trade Show

Meet the Candidates Breakfast

TTB Bootcamp

Guild Meeting

PAC Reception

Off-Site Welcome Reception

Tuesday, February 27

Vendor Trade Show

Education Tracks

Rise and Regulate with the TTB

Awards Luncheon

Spirits Tasting Hospitality Suite

Wednesday, February 28

Education Tracks

Keynote and Town Hall

Closing Reception

*Additional fees apply.

Reserve Your Room at the Hyatt Regency

The hotel is conveniently located across the street from the convention center in the heart of downtown Denver.

Please note that this is our official block with the hotel, and ACSA does NOT use third parties to reserve or book hotel rooms for our annual convention.

Exhibitor Signup Begins Friday, Dec. 1

Stay tuned for more details on exhibitor registration. In the meantime, check out our convention sponsorship opportunities.

JUDGING OF CRAFT SPIRITS

Your Shot at Glory, Glamour and a Gold Medal

Enter your products into the only craft judging competition assembled, organized and overseen by you, the distilling community. ACSA’s blind-tasting competition recognizes the best craft spirits in the following categories:

• Brandy
• Gin
• Ready-to-Drink
• Rum
• Specialty Spirits (absinthe, agave-based products, etc)
• Vodka & Grain
• Whiskey

How to Enter

• Review the submission guidelines to ensure you can meet all requirements.
• Select the categories you wish to enter and checkout your cart.
• The competition is open to all members and non-members of ACSA. Members must be logged in to receive the discounted rate. If you’re not a member, sign-up to save hundreds of dollars on competition fees, webinars, convention registration, and more! Need help? Contact membership@americancraftspirits.org.

Fees for ACSA Members

General Fee (Cut off 12/1/23): $275 per entry

Late Riser (Cut off 12/22/23): $300 per entry

Fees for Non-Members

General Fee (Cut off 12/1/23): $375 per entry

Late Riser (Cut off 12/22/23): $400 per entry

Judging Protocols & Submission Guidelines

This year, our judges are headed to Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse on January 9 and 10, 2024 for your spirits to be tasted and evaluated by a panel of top professionals.

• Please review the judging protocols and submission guidelines before entering.
• While membership in ACSA is not a prerequisite for entering in the competition, to enter your spirits you must be eligible for voting membership as defined by ACSA.
• ALL products must have a valid COLA from TTB.
• You must identify whether your spirit is Third Party (using spirit distilled off-site) or Made from Scratch (distilled on premise).

CRAFT SPIRITS PACKAGING AWARDS

Last Chance to Enter: Deadline Extended Until Dec. 4

• Earn bragging rights
• Receive a medal at ACSA’s 11th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show in February
• Be featured in the March/April 2024 issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine

The cost for non-members of ACSA is $55 per entry and $140 per portfolio entry, and the discounted cost for ACSA members is $40 per entry and $100 per portfolio entry. No physical samples are required for entry.

Sponsored By

BETTER WITH AGE: ACSA’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

You’re Invited to Our Repeal Day Toast!

Gather your team and pop in to our Zoom session for a virtual toast to the 90th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition. Thanks to our extraordinary toastmasters, who will lead the online gathering:

• Lew Bryson, author, Tasting Whiskey & Whiskey Master Class
• Gina Holman, J. Carver Distillery, ACSA Board President
• Amy Stewart, author, The Drunken Botanist

Mark your calendars and save the Zoom link for Tuesday, December 5 at 6 p.m. ET: https://bit.ly/413jQhO\

No registration is required and non-members are welcome!

ADVOCACY

Craft Spirits Producers Return to Capitol Hill

It’s the first time since 2019 that ACSA was able to host an in-person Legislative Fly-In, as the most recent editions had been conducted virtually.

“As distillers, I think I can look at everyone in this room and say we’re storytellers,” said Gina Holman, founding partner of J. Carver Distillery (Waconia, Minnesota) and President of the ACSA Board of Directors. “And here’s the deal: if we’re not telling our stories, we’re closed.”

This year, advocacy efforts focused on four major initiatives: the USPS Shipping Equity Act, adequate funding for the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Agritourism Act and the White Oak Resilience Act. ACSA Public Policy Counsel Jim Hyland and State Policy Advisor Michael Walker coached attendees on how to engage their members of Congress on these issues.

“This work matters because this is how we make change, by showing up, year after year and telling our stories to folks and not letting them forget us, because it’s easy to be forgotten among the press of all the other things that people are asking for on the Hill,” said Catoctin Creek Distilling Co. (Purcellville, Virginia) president and head distiller Becky Harris, chair of the ACSA Government Affairs Committee and Immediate Past President of the ACSA Board of Directors. “And showing up, putting our faces in front of people, matters. And that way we’re saying ‘We care and we’re not going away.’”

ACSA CEO Margie A.S. Lehrman noted that ACSA members have been able to influence significant changes in government policy because they refuse to be told “never.” Lehrman noted, “I recently had a conversation where I said, “We’re at a crossroads right now. We can either stay inside the guardrails or we can start knocking them down, piece by piece of the highway,’” Lehrman said. “So you’re all here to make that happen.”

Read the New Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine

• A cover story exploring packaging considerations for producers of spirits-based RTDs
• Insights and best practices for kegged cocktails
• Details on the latest operations software for craft distilleries
• And much more!

Be a Part of the CRAFT SPIRITS Yearbook

Please note: Your company may have been listed in the previous edition of the Yearbook. We’ve included this link to a Google doc of all the listings pulled from the past Yearbook. Please do a quick search for your company, and if it needs an update, please complete the form.

If your company info as previously listed has not changed, no action is required.

If you are interested in purchasing an enhanced, premium listing with greater visibility or would like to advertise in the 2024 CRAFT SPIRITS Yearbook, please contact Annette Schnur at sales@americancraftspirits.org.

Deadline for all listings: December 5, 2023

ACSA members and V.I.P. Lounge members receive each digital issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine the week before the rest of our readership.

Check Out the CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine Media Kit

Want to get your products and services noticed? Be a part of upcoming issues of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, the all-digital, bi-monthly publication of the American Craft Spirits Association! Check out our NEW 2024 media kit to see what’s in store.

Share Your Story with CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine

If you’re not already sending news and updates about product releases and general happenings at your distillery, please add news@americancraftspirits.org to your mailing list.

WELCOME, NEWEST MEMBERS!

ACSA extends a warm welcome to our new and returning members and sponsors:

• All Mill Distilling
• Bad Alibi Distillery
• Balance Distilling Co.
• COHO Creative
• Deutsche Beverage + Process
• Jennifer Norris Compliance Services
• Routt Distillery
• Sioux City Distilling Co.
• Spirit Hound Distillers
• True Essence Foods

Find out more about becoming a member here.

ET CETERA

Did You Know?

The TTB has issued 4,720 DSPs! Find the full list by clicking on Spirit Producers and Bottlers here.

Don’t miss these upcoming drink holidays:

• Dec.1: National Egg Nog Month
• Dec. 5: 90th anniversary of the repeal of Prohibition (join our virtual toast)
• Dec. 14: National Screwdriver Day
• Dec. 24: National Egg Nog Day