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...
American Craft Spirits
Congress Members Introduce Bipartisan USPS Shipping Equity Act

Today, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) introduced the bipartisan USPS Shipping Equity Act to allow the United States Postal Service (USPS) to ship alcoholic beverages to consumers. The legislation allows the USPS to ship directly from licensed producers and retailers to consumers over the age...
ACSA Announces Newly Elected 2025-2026 Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, DC (April 22, 2025) – The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) today announces the election and installation of Jordan Cotton of Cotton & Reed (DC) as the President of the Board of Directors. He has served as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors since 2023, and...
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...
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...
Craft Spirits Producers Return to Washington Amid Industry Headwinds
At a time when a number of market headwinds are impacting small distillers’ ability to operate and thrive, more than 40 craft spirits producers from across the country headed to Washington, D.C. this week to advocate for the industry’s top federal legislative and regulatory priorities. Craft producers met with...
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...
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Recent Publications
- ACSA Joins Industry Leaders Urging U.S.-EU Agreement to Protect Spirits Trade and Hospitality Jobs
- ACSA Spring 2025 Advocacy Report
- ACSA Strengthens Membership and Editorial Teams with Key Staff Changes
- ACSA Comments Regarding Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulatory Barriers
- Congress Members Introduce Bipartisan USPS Shipping Equity Act