The Monthly Mash: August 2020

ACSA created the program because we recognize a lack of diversity in the alcoholic beverage sector. We also recognize that a diverse workplace contributes to higher performance, innovation, creativity and overall growth for DSPs. Because the pipeline to recruit qualified candidates is narrow—as the underrepresented communities may lack knowledge or training to access this beverage sector—ACSA wants to augment talent through establishment of the STEPUP Foundation to create and execute a fully funded internship program.

STEPUP will facilitate workplace diversity in the spirits industry through training and job exposure for those of different races, genders, disabilities and sexual orientations, eager and interested in working in the spirits sector. The program will create an access point to learn about all facets of owning and operating a distillery. This will be offered annually to a minimum of two candidates, through a formal application process, with selection by a committee of the Foundation. The organization will set a standard and cultivate a candidate pool from which these will be awarded. STEPUP and more broadly, ACSA, will also help with job placement to assist the candidates after the conclusion of the internship period.

The Internship program will cover a comprehensive training curriculum, including segments in Production, Compliance, Marketing, Sales, Hospitality and Business Management.

The STEPUP Foundation is establishing an Advisory Board, consisting of seven members, with a diverse blend of talent pulled from the ACSA Board of Directors, the beverage alcohol community and the communities served by this board. The Advisory Board will be instrumental in the STEPUP Foundation’s mission, enabling it to fully plan, fund and execute a work-apprenticeship program in the craft spirits industry.

Also during Wednesday’s Town Hall, we heard an address from Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), our lead Senate sponsor on S.362, the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) which would make FET relief permanent for craft distilleries, among other alcoholic beverages. The Senate bill—including its counterpart in the House—has widespread bi-partisan support. In a Q&A with ACSA past presidents Mark Shilling and Tom Mooney, Wyden explained why the bill has not been brought to the floor for a vote.

“In the U.S. Senate … it only takes one Senator to throw sand in the gears, to block everything procedurally and we don’t have every Senator. We have a fabulous showing [but] we don’t have every showing,” said Wyden. “You need two things. You need to build support with the leadership and then you need individual senators to go to the leaders and say, ‘This is important to me. I’ve just been home for a month talking to folks, they’re really hurting. I need you to put this into the bill.'”

Wyden said he will continue the fight to make FET relief permanent.

“We will continue to push as hard as possible for permanence,” he said. “I’m going to roll up my sleeves and work to get it done.”

Wyden urged producers of craft spirits to reach out to their legislators to continue to ask support for the bill.

“Walk away from this knowing that to have this many sponsors of a major piece of legislation doesn’t happen by osmosis. It happens because you built it. You went legislator to legislator and you went to meetings. That is a monumental achievement. There are people who have tried to build that kind of support in decades and we managed to do it in two years.”

The summit spanned two days and included a wide array of educational presentations and a virtual exhibit hall. Thank you again to everyone who attended, presented and participated in this virtual gathering of the craft spirits community.

We concluded the summit with a trivia session with our own Jeff Cioletti. Congratulations to our grand prize winner, Amber Pollock of Backwards Distilling Co., who won free registration and two nights hotel at the next ACSA Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show, which will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, July 25-27, 2021. We also extend our congratulations to second-place winner John Fetzner of Cart/Horse Distilling, winning a free registration to the Louisville convention, and third-place winner Colleen Moore of Dalkita Architecture & Construction, securing one free night at the host hotel in Louisville.

Please note, you can only access the recordings when logged in to the ACSA website, with the email address you used when you registered for the Craft Spirits Virtual Summit. If you did not attend the Summit and would like to access the recordings, there is a fee to access the material. If you have trouble accessing the recordings, please contact education@americancraftspirits.org.