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Dear Friends in our Craft Spirits Community:
What happened to the lazy, hazy days of summer? Somehow, they escaped the team of committee volunteers (read below to meet one of our newest board of directors) and staff at ACSA. Our pace seems to keep even keel with the heat and humidity: it keeps rising and we remain on fire with advocacy efforts and plans for future events.
Let’s start with advocacy. Did you see the exchange between ACSA and WSWA, drawing laser sharp attention on the plight of the craft distilling industry? Simply put, craft distillers are struggling to stay alive, let alone turn a profit. While inflation and economic headwinds may contribute to the struggle, additional factors are at play. Outdated, highly stifling state legislation and regulatory chokeholds prevent small business manufacturers from selling product. Market access is pinched. ACSA interacted with and educated lots of state reps at the National Conference of State Legislatures this month. Working with state guilds, numerous tools for routes to market were illuminated. It is and will continue to be slow going as much of our industry continues to be misunderstood. There are some notable successes, however. A huge shout-out to the New York State Distillers Guild for its recent DtC win and Alaska for promulgating rules and regulations in support of its DtC legislation. That makes a total of nine states plus the District of Columbia that allow DtC. Nine down and only 41 to go.
Can we find common ground with wholesalers? I remain optimistic despite the consolidation and continued difficulty our members face in finding and building a relationship with this tier. ACSA has long called the tool of DtC a distribution on-ramp, allowing producers to build a brand so that a distributor can clearly assess the spirits potential. Makes sense, right? It is a common-sense solution to an escalating problem. With more brands entering the market and fewer wholesalers to distribute, the math just doesn’t work. Legislators are now beginning to better understand a flawed business model which largely contributes to obstacles for growth for our small business manufacturing sector.
ACSA continues to grapple with and explore paths to enhance the business climate for America’s craft distillers. If you plan to come to Capitol Hill during ACSA’s Legislative Fly-in, you’ll share your stories as to why relief is critical for our innovative sector. Besides learning more about nutritional labeling and the status of dietary guidelines, you’ll be the first to educate lawmakers on a new bill—designed by distillers—which we expect will be introduced just days before we reach the halls of Congress. If you want to visit TTB HQ and ask your burning questions, you can also do just that. It’s not too late to register, so click on the link below.
Besides our hand-crafted education through ACSA’s webinars (go to our robust archives), learn what trained professionals think about your spirits so you can better market (or change up your formula). Registration closes shortly so enter your products now in the American Craft Spirits Competition.
Looking forward to the holidays? Join us at our American Craft Spirits Festival (a consumer event) at Binny’s Beverage Depot on Nov. 13 if you want to pour your spirits in Chicago. Introduce store reps, trade media and consumers to your holiday releases or flagships, but act fast as table sales will quickly fill. And, as an added benefit, send us your best cocktail recipe (or purchase an ad) to be included in a second release of our cocktail book. Next, mark the dates and put aside the funds to take your team to our annual convention.
Finally, as ACSA believes strongly in conscious inclusion—making sure our craft spirits industry is open to everyone regardless of race, color, gender, sexual orientation or physical disability—the STEPUP Foundation continues to solicit applications for interns, mentors, DSPs and wholesalers to participate in this award-winning hands-on training internship program. The “WE” in “We are Craft Spirits” must continue to represent the consumers who enjoy our spirits. Learn more about STEPUP and how YOU can make a difference. If you’re on the fence whether to apply, please call us and we can and will remove your fear. We will connect you with others who have enjoyed the many participation benefits.
As I write this note, the temps are soaring past the 90-degree mark. Even when the temps drop, we’ll still be hot to work on issues to make our industry a better place for all our American craft distillers and those who support them.
Until next month, be well.
Cheers,
Margie |
