The Monthly Mash: February 2024

Volume 9.2

ACSA’s Mission: To elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers.

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

Dear Friends in our Craft Spirits Community:

During the ACSA convention with 1,300 friends, I was startled with this epiphany: Drink CRAFT: Experience Life! And that we did in spades during our 11th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show in Denver this past week. Educational, inspiring, rejuvenating while exhausting, it was really like one big family reunion. If you weren’t in Denver, scroll down to see what you missed. If you joined the “family,” read on to stimulate your memory of an amazing convention.

Here’s to our incredible craft spirits community where together we will continue to move mountains to help you succeed.

Cheers,

Margie

CONVENTION RECAP

Cheers to ACSA’s 11th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show

In late February, ACSA welcomed more than 1,300 members of the craft spirits community to Denver for an unforgettable gathering at our 11th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show. Amidst the backdrop of Colorado’s dynamic spirits scene, we moved mountains to help our members succeed.

The record number of attendees and exhibitors immersed themselves in insightful educational sessions; navigated through a bustling trade show floor; witnessed the awards presentations for our Judging of Craft Spirits and Craft Spirits Packaging Awards; reconnected and forged new friendships at an array of networking events; and much more!

Below, you’ll find a glimpse of the memorable moments shared within and beyond the halls of the Colorado Convention Center.

Trade Show

Our trade show floor was buzzing with energy as more than 150 exhibitors—including 40 first-time vendors—displayed their latest offerings and products designed for producers of craft spirits. We also expanded our educational offerings to the trade show floor with meetups and a series of Ask the Expert and Tradeshow Talks in four salons.

Education

Our educational programming offered invaluable strategies for success. The agenda featured more than 50 sessions covering a wide range of topics for everyone from a novice to the most seasoned attendees. The three main tracks included sessions on technical/production, sales/marketing and business/compliance. Our best-attended session was a panel on premiumization trends driving craft spirits packaging innovations.

Our agenda also included the TTB Bootcamp in which a panel from the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau covered permits, formulas and labeling. Prior to the convention, we also held our popular 1.5-day Distillery 101 class.

Craft Spirits Tasting & Packaging Awards Medalists

Tom Mooney, Dan and Nancy Garrison, Margie A.S. Lehrman and Gina Holman

During a luncheon on Feb. 27, ACSA announced the winners of its 10th Annual Judging of American Craft Spirits and 4th Annual Packaging Awards. ACSA proudly bestowed the blind-tasting competition’s ultimate honor, the Best in Show award, to Garrison Brothers Distillery for its Cowboy Bourbon. In addition to Best in Show and the Best of Class distinctions, the judging panel awarded 55 gold, 107 silver, and 92 bronze medals.

The 4th Annual Packaging Awards awarded 27 medals, and Botanery Barn Distillery captured Best in Show for its Revivalist Garden Gin.

In the Judging of American Craft Spirits, awards entries were submitted in seven main categories: whiskey, gin, rum, vodka & grain spirits, brandy, distilled specialty spirits, and ready to drink (RTD). The Best of Class distinctions, the highest honor in each of the seven judging categories, were awarded to a mix of both established, award-winning distilleries and younger newcomers. These winning distilleries will be presented with hand-carved barrel heads courtesy of Thousand Oaks Barrel Co., and all medal recipients will receive custom medals.

10th Annual Judging of Craft Spirits: Best of Class Recipients

Whiskey: Cowboy Bourbon, Garrison Brothers Distillery (TX)

Brandy: Chi Rho Peach Brandy, Salvation Spirits Distillery (TX)

Gin: Gin with Notes of Lavender and Hibiscus, Fraser Valley Distilling (CO)

RTD: Teller Classic Hard Tea, Safe House Distilling Co. (NM)

Rum: 5 Year Expedition Rum, StilL 630 (MO)

Distilled Spirits Specialty: Absinthe Verte, As Above, So Below Distillery (NM)

Vodka: Potato Vodka, 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co. (CO)

Innovation Award: Warming Hut, Hinterhaus Distilling (CA)

ACSA would like to thank its Judging of American Craft Spirits competition partners, which include Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse, LibDib and Sojourner Imports. ACSA would also like to thank the Glass Packaging Institute for sponsoring the Craft Spirits Packaging Awards.

CRAFT SPIRITS magazine, ACSA’s bi-monthly digital publication, will showcase the top medalists from each competition in an upcoming issue. The complete list of medalists in the Judging of American Craft Spirits is available here and the complete list of medalists from the Craft Spirits Packaging Awards is available here.

During the luncheon, ACSA also honored the top recipients from the 2023 Heartland Whiskey Competition, which were announced last August. Best of Show was captured by Casey Jones Distillery from Hopkinsville, Kentucky, for its Casey Jones Single Barrel Original 4 Grain Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon. Tobacco Barn Distillery of Hollywood, Maryland, earned the Top Farmer-Distiller, a new category, for its Single Barrel Bourbon.

Town Hall

During lunch on the final day of the convention, ACSA CEO Margie A.S. Lehrman presided over a town hall meeting. Attendees heard from a wide range of ACSA board members, committee chairs, advisors and partners who provided updates on ACSA’s strategic plan, the Craft Spirits Data Project, education initiatives, ACSA’s PAC, potential legislation affecting craft spirits producers and much more.

PAC Reception

Lee Wood, Colorado Senate President Steve Fenberg, Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie, Margie A.S. Lehrman, Gina Holman, P.T. Wood and Jordan Cotton

During a reception at Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse for members of ACSA’s PAC, we toasted to bolstering the business landscape for craft spirits producers. Our guests speakers included Colorado House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Senate President Steve Fenberg. Special thanks to our guest speakers and to Ironton for hosting the event!

Mark Shilling, Chris Montana and Gina Holman with Lance Peterson, Kallyn Romero and Laura Walters of Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse

STEPUP Graduation

In a small gathering at The Family Jones Spirit House, the STEPUP Foundation held its second graduation ceremony for interns Ashley Grayson and Amy Salter. Inaugural interns Erin Lee and Yakntoro “Yaki” Udoumoh and current interns Alexcia Pugh and Erica Paul were also in attendance, and 2023-24 mentors and DSP hosts were introduced and celebrated.

Special thanks to The Family Jones and Rob Masters for hosting the event.

Visit stepupinternship.org or email info@stepupinternship.org to learn more about how to support or participate in the program.

Networking and Social Events

Throughout the course of the convention, we offered numerous opportunities for attendees and exhibitors to network over drinks, hors d’oeuvres, singing and dancing. Prior to the convention, we offered two distillery tours, which featured visits to Leopold Bros., The Family Jones, Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse, Laws Whiskey House, Bear Creek Distillery, Spirit Hound Distillers, Root Shoot Malting, Boulder Spirits, Talnua Distillery and Copper Sky Distillery.

On Monday, we partnered with the Colorado Distillers Guild for a happy hour in the exhibit hall where more than 15 Colorado distilleries poured spirits and cocktails. Also on Monday, we hosted our opening reception at Puttshack, where attendees enjoyed drinks, food and indoor mini golf.

At our hospitality suite on Tuesday evening, we tasted many of the spirits that received medals in our Judging of Craft Spirits competition. We also joined in as our fellow attendees belted out tunes during a spirited karaoke session, adding an extra layer of camaraderie to the evening’s festivities. And on Wednesday evening, we enjoyed a concert by award-winning honky-tonk singer Casey Prestwood at The Globe Hall.

Special Thanks to Our Convention Sponsors and Partners

ACSA gratefully acknowledges the generosity of those who have provided support for our 11th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show, including:

Lallemand Distilling: Sponsor of Distillery 101 class

The Digest of Wine & Spirits Law: Sponsor of tote bags

Berlin Packaging: Sponsor of central Denver distillery tour

Saverglass: Silver sponsor of yearbook

Briess Malt & Ingredients Co.: Sponsor of hospitality suite

The Strategic Sourcing Hub: Sponsor of mobile app

Blue & Co.: Sponsor of exhibit hall coffee

Crafted ERP: Sponsor of exhibit hall coffee

Kraftwork: Sponsor of exhibit hall coffee

Niagara Label: Sponsor of mobile charging units

Big Thirst: Sponsor of registration bag materials

The Country Malt Group: Sponsor of registration bag materials

Apholos: Sponsor of registration bag materials

CF Napa Brand Design: Sponsor of registration bag materials

Independent Distributor Network: Sponsor of salons

The Brewers Association: Sponsor of opening reception

Colorado Distillers Guild: Partner for exhibit hall happy hour

ACSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Election to Fill Five Board Seats Will Open Soon

The election for new members of the ACSA Board of Directors will open in early March. This is your chance to exercise your right to vote and have a say in which leaders will fill five board seats for the next three years.

If you’re a non-member who wants to have a say in the future leadership of ACSA, there’s no time like the present to join us today so that you can vote.

More information on the nominees will soon be available on our website. Look for a separate email to guide you to learning more about the candidates for the 2024 Board of Directors.

THE CRAFT SPIRITS PODCAST

Kallyn Romero and Laura Walters of Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse

Our latest guests on The Craft Spirits Podcast are Kallyn Romero and Laura Walters of Ironton Distillery & Crafthouse of Denver. Romero is the co-founder and a Colorado native and Walters is a head distiller who studied winemaking at Oregon State University and got her start in the spirits industry at Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey.

Listen Now

CRAFT SPIRITS MAGAZINE

Read the New Issue of CRAFT SPIRITS Magazine

The January/February issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is here! This issue includes:

A cover story exploring low- and no-alcohol spirits and cocktails
A look at how new wood varieties and processes are opening up new possibilities for craft distillers
An article about adventures (and misadventures) with alternative grains
And much more!

Read the Issue

Want to receive each issue of CRAFT SPIRITS magazine early?

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:

Amber Waves Distilling Co.
Auctus Investors
Bilyeu Creek Distillery
Burnt Church Distillery
CSBR Concepts
Colorado Malting Co.
Constellation Brands
Defiant Whisky
EUS Distilling
Ethimex
FDR Farms
Hochatown Distilling Co.
Independent Brewing Co.
Johnny’s Distillery & Co.
InvestBev
Liquid Ventures Distillery
Midwest Barrel Co.
Old Elk Distillery
Oxbow Rum Distillery
Pavisa
Potter Jane Distilling Co.
Prairie of the Dog Brewery, Distillery and Winery Co.
Small Batch Content
Stilleven
TransChemical, Inc.
Two Roads Distilling
Urban Tap and Distillery
The Vault
Wizard Academy
Wild Goose Filling

Find out more about becoming a member here.

ET CETERA

Did You Know?

The TTB has issued 4,809 DSPs! Find the full list by clicking on Spirit Producers and Bottlers here.

Don’t miss these upcoming drink holidays:

March 3: Irish Whiskey Day
March 5: National Absinthe Day
March 15: Espresso Martini Day
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 24: National Cocktail Day
March 27: International Whisk(e)y Day

Social Media

Follow our social media channels and tweet at us (@craftspiritsus), tag us on Instagram, connect with us on LinkedIn, follow us on YouTube or post to our Facebook Page and we’ll be sure to share it!

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