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...
American Craft Spirits
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...
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...
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 Responds: U.S. Craft Distilleries are in Crisis
The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) applauds Jake Emen’s Food & Wine article, “U.S. Craft Distilleries Are in Crisis,” which candidly depicts the harsh realities of the state of craft distilling in 2024 and the economic and legislative headwinds these independent small businesses face. ACSA and Jake Emen are...
The Monthly Mash: July 2024

Volume 9.7 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: As another month comes to a close and I glance at the calendar, it’s hard...
The Monthly Mash: June 2024

Volume 9.6 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: The National Conference of State Liquor Administrators—a highly energetic, engaging group of state and federal...
Comments Regarding Development of 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The American Craft Spirits Association and a coalition of other groups representing the beverage alcohol sector today urged the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) to ensure a fair and transparent process in developing the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). In a letter to HHS...
The Monthly Mash: May 2024

Volume 9.5 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: One of my favorite distillers (and I have many) recently told me about an app...
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Recent Articles
- ACSA Statement on Continued Threat of Trump Tariffs
- ACSA Announces 2025 Craft Spirits Competition & Packaging Award Medalists
- Fifth Annual Craft Spirits Packaging Awards
- Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition Statement on U.S. Tariffs Imposed on Canada and Mexico
- Statement on Tariffs from Margie A.S Lehrman, CEO, ACSA