ADVOCACY

ACSA’s Government Affairs Committee, in conjunction with its lobbyist on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., works tirelessly to promote a sound business climate for the craft spirits producer. Its focus was on the reduction of the onerous Federal Excise Tax (FET), with a mantra to provide parity with beer and wine. In December 2017, a short victory lap was enjoyed as substantial provisions of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) was passed. On January 1, 2018, craft distillers began paying a reduced FET from $13.50 down to $2.70 per proof gallon up to the first 100,000 pg. On December 27, 2020, the President signed the  CBMTRA as part of an omnibus and stimulus package, giving the country’s 2,200 craft spirits producers much-needed, permanent tax relief and parity with their counterparts in beer and wine, who have enjoyed lower rates for many years. Federal excise tax (FET) reform has been ACSA’s top legislative priority, and the President’s signing marks a major victory for the distilled spirits industry. In addition to the hardships the industry faces as it crawls back from distillery closures due to COVID, distillers faced a 400 percent tax hike come January 1, 2021 without legislation.

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is a bureau under the Department of the Treasury. The TTB collects Federal excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition and to assure compliance with Federal tobacco permitting and alcohol permitting, labeling, and marketing requirements to protect consumers.

Federal Legislation

View a list of proposed or pending federal legislation that affect our industry.

State Legislation

View a list of proposed or pending state legislation that affect our industry.

ACSA's Legislative Fly-In

September 9-10, 2025, Washington, D.C.

Our annual Legislative Fly-in event is complimentary to all members who want to help educate Congress on issues facing our small business manufacturing sector. No experience is necessary—we will provide a full briefing and get you up to speed on issues that can change our economic landscape.

Learn more about the Legislative Fly-In.

Advocacy News

ACSA Joins Industry Leaders Urging U.S.-EU Agreement to Protect Spirits Trade and Hospitality Jobs

This week, a coalition of leading spirits and hospitality organizations—including the American Craft Spirits Association—sent a joint letter to President Trump urging swift action to secure a new U.S.-EU agreement on spirits trade. The proposal calls for reinstating the longstanding zero-for-zero tariff policy to protect U.S. spirits from future...

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ACSA Spring 2025 Advocacy Report

MEMBERS ONLY You need to be a member of the ACSA to view this content. Please signup or login to continue. If your membership has lapsed, please make your payment online or contact membership@americancraftspirits.org to reactivate your access to the members-only website. Username Password Remember Me     Forgot...

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ACSA Comments Regarding Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulatory Barriers

Hon. Andrew N. Ferguson, Chairman U.S. Federal Trade Commission 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580  Via Regulations.gov  Re: Docket No. FTC-2025-0028 (Request for Public Comment Regarding Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulatory Barriers)  Dear Chairman Ferguson:  I am writing on behalf of the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) in response to the President’s Executive...

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