Farmer-distillers will again vie for top honors in three distinct awards State Corn Associations once again sponsor national competition to support spirits industry The Heartland Whiskey Competition today announced that the 2025 competition judging will take place July 15 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The biennial competition is proudly sponsored by...
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Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition Statement on ‘Liberation Day’ Announcement
The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition—which includes 55 organizations representing the entire three-tier chain of the U.S. alcohol industry, including the American Craft Spirits Association—has released the following statement in response to President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs announced on April 2: “As part of the administration’s America First trade policy,...
ACSA Statement on Continued Threat of Trump Tariffs
Statement on Tariffs from Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO, ACSA On behalf of our community of more than 3,000 independent craft distilleries, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) remains deeply concerned about the ongoing and expanding number of trade disputes, now with the EU, U.K., Canada, and Mexico. Our spirits have no...
ACSA Announces 2025 Craft Spirits Competition & Packaging Award Medalists
Recipients Honored During Annual Distiller’s Convention in Tucson Tucson, AZ (March 12, 2025) – Today, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), the nation’s only national registered nonprofit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry, announced the medalists in its 11th Annual American Craft Spirits Competition and Fifth Annual Craft...
Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition Statement on U.S. Tariffs Imposed on Canada and Mexico
The Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition—which includes 52 organizations representing the entire three-tier chain of the U.S. alcohol industry, including the American Craft Spirits Association—has released the following statement on tariffs imposed on Canada and Mexico: We urge President Trump to lift the tariffs on Mexican and Canadian distilled spirits and wine...
Statement on Tariffs from Margie A.S Lehrman, CEO, ACSA
On behalf of our community of more than 3,000 independent craft distilleries, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) is deeply concerned about the impending threat of tariffs on important trade partners, including Canada and Mexico. This is yet another blow to our small business manufacturers who are already operating...
STEPUP Foundation Kicks Off Fourth Round of Immersive Internship Program
Washington, DC (January 22, 2025) – The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and The Spirits Training Entrepreneurship Program for Underrepresented Professionals (STEPUP Foundation) are proud to announce their 2025 class, which kicks off this month and welcomes industry veteran Sydney Jones as a mentor and Corsair Artisan Distillery as...
ACSA Appoints Emily Pennington as Chief Operating Officer to Implement Strategic Growth Initiatives

Washington, D.C. (January 8, 2025) —In its ongoing effort to evolve and expand its service to the craft spirits community, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Pennington as Chief Operating Officer, effective immediately. In this newly created position, Pennington will work...
ACSA Statement on FTC Suit Against Southern Glazer’s for Illegal Price Discrimination
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 12, 2024 — The following is a statement from Margie A.S. Lehrman, CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, on the suit that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed against Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits related to illegal price discrimination: “The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) welcomes FTC’s efforts...
The Monthly Mash: November 2024

Volume 9.11 ACSA’s Mission: To elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers. Join us. From the Desk of Margie A.S. Lehrman, Chief Executive Officer Dear Friends in the Craft Spirits Community: Thank you. Grazie. Merci. Danke. Xie Xie. Arigato. Shukran. Spasibo. Obrigado. D’akujem. Gracias. As Thanksgiving...
The Monthly Mash: October 2024

Volume 9.10 ACSA’s Mission: To elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers. Join us. From the Desk of Margie A.S. Lehrman, Chief Executive Officer Dear Friends in the Craft Spirits Community: I love Costco. It meets so many of my needs, finding “treasures” I was unaware...
Report: Eighty-Five Percent of Consumers Demand DtC Purchasing Access to Craft Spirits
Annual Direct-to-Consumer Spirits Shipping Report from Sovos and ACSA underscores an immediate need to expand shipping laws to meet demand and boost spirit sales ATLANTA, OCTOBER 23, 2024 – A new report released today by global tax compliance technology leader Sovos and the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) highlights...
The Monthly Mash: September 2024

Volume 9.9 ACSA’s Mission: To elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers. Join us. From the Desk of Margie A.S. Lehrman, Chief Executive Officer Dear Friends in the Craft Spirits Community: As we step into fall, there’s no better time to reflect on the joy and...
The Monthly Mash: August 2024

Volume 9.8 ACSA’s Mission: To elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers. Join us. From the Desk of Margie A.S. Lehrman, Chief Executive Officer Dear Friends in our Craft Spirits Community: What happened to the lazy, hazy days of summer? Somehow, they escaped the team of...
ACSA Applauds Passage of NY DtC Law
The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) joins the New York Distillers Guild in applauding Governor Hochul for signing Senate bill 2852-A which makes New York the latest state to allow certain distilled spirits manufacturers to ship their products via direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping. S.2852A/A.3132A makes New York the 9th state...
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Recent Articles
- Craft Whiskey Distillers Compete for Best-of-State at 2025 Heartland Whiskey Competition
- Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition Statement on ‘Liberation Day’ Announcement
- ACSA Statement on Continued Threat of Trump Tariffs
- ACSA Announces 2025 Craft Spirits Competition & Packaging Award Medalists
- Fifth Annual Craft Spirits Packaging Awards