Distilled Spirits
A Black-Owned Distillery Was Set On Fire In Minneapolis. Here’s How The Owner Responded.
Chris Montana, owner of the first Black-owned microdistillery in the U.S., shares his hopes for the future. This story, as told to Garin Pirnia, is from the perspective of Chris Montana, co-owner of South Minneapolis’ Du Nord Craft Spirits. When Montana opened the distillery in 2013, in the neighborhood where he...
The Monthly Mash: May 2020
The Monthly Mash Volume 5.5 Member-Owned, Industry-Driven ACSA 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 Industry: 160 days. 31 hours. 256 sessions. That represents my personal dedication to...
Craft Distillers Struggle to Survive Amid COVID-19
COVID-19 has battered the entire whisky industry but perhaps no one is struggling quite like the thousands of craft distillers in the U.S. The pandemic has shuttered tasting rooms and disrupted distribution, cutting off crucial revenue streams, prompting staff cuts, and potentially putting some on the brink of permanent closure. While...
The Monthly Mash: April 2020
The Monthly Mash Volume 5.4 Member-Owned, Industry-Driven ACSA 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 the Craft Spirits Industry: Be prepared. Always, be prepared. I...
April 27, 2020
Dear Chairwoman Lowey, Chairman Shelby, Ranking Member Granger and Vice Chairman Leahy:
We are writing to urge Congress to fully fund the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) within the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill at $145 million. This requested level of funding includes the Administration’s requested funding level for FY2021 and adds additional advanced funding of formula and Certificates of Label Applications (COLA) processing and approvals, which is necessary to provide the beverage alcohol industry continuity of business operations in this current time period of incredible growth. The funding level also maintains the strict enforcement of trade practices as required by law.
As you know, the COVID-19 crisis has significantly affected businesses across the United States and the beverage alcohol industry is no exception. We are deeply appreciative of TTB’s efforts to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the industry by postponing due dates for federal excise tax (FET) payments on domestic products and several other filings, as well as for providing critical, timely guidance during the crisis.
Craft Distillers Were Booming. Now They Face Bust.
In recent years, sales for small liquor makers have been surging, but coronavirus has shuttered tasting rooms and disrupted distribution. For Todd Thrasher, it seemed like a sure bet. In October 2018, he opened a sprawling bar and rum distillery along the newly revitalized District Wharf in Washington, D.C.,...
The Monthly Mash: March 2020
The Monthly Mash Volume 5.3 Member-Owned, Industry-Driven ACSA Mission: To elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers. From the Desk of Margie A.S. Lehrman, Chief Executive Officer March 31, 2020 Dear Friends in Our Craft Spirits Community: Since the outbreak...
