CRAFT SPIRITS CLASSROOM:
Join Us for Free COVID-19 Webinars
ACSA is regularly hosting complimentary webinars related to COVID-19. In case you have missed any, free recordings are available via the links below. These are free to members and non-members.
A discussion on the Congressional Stimulus Bill, the Small Business Administration’s lending provisions, and how both impact craft distilleries. (Presented on March 30)
If you’ve looked at the FDA registration form and felt overwhelmed, you’re not alone! This webinar covers how to get your facility and hand sanitizer product registered with the FDA with step-by-step guidance. (Presented on March 27)
In a business and industry so linked to being social, what do you do in a time of social distancing? Hear possibilities and creative solutions to take your tasting room to your customer base when they can’t come to you. (Presented on March 25)
This webinar offers an industry outlook resulting from COVID-19. Discover how to sales forecast the next 3, 6, or 9 months and how to review your cash flow in line with this. The webinar also addresses how to share the news with your investors and where else to get support. (Presented on March 25)
In these uncertain times, it’s not uncommon to experience elevated feelings of panic, anxiety, or depression. Those already living with anxiety or OCD may be having an especially hard time. This webinar focuses on COVID-19’s effects on our lives and livelihoods as we explore ways to stay mentally healthy and to help support mental health in our workplaces and homes. (Presented on March 20)
In ACSA’s third installment in our complimentary COVID-19 webinar series, we answer your questions on hand sanitizer creation, from FDA and TTB considerations to the production side. (Presented on March 23)
With nearly every state reporting confirmed cases of COVID-19, its impacts on our lives have been far-reaching. What does COVID-19 mean for your tasting room? Join us as we discuss its implications on your business and tasting room. (Presented on March 17)
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ACSA Postpones Convention
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ACSA postponed its 7th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show, which was originally scheduled to take place in late March in Portland, Oregon. It will be rescheduled for late summer.
We recognize many of you, like our ACSA team, have been preparing for over a year to visit Portland. We share your disappointment. Your health, however, is our paramount concern. We will notify you as soon as we reschedule. We cannot thank you enough for your understanding, support, and well wishes during a difficult time for all. We extend our heartfelt wishes that you and your families remain in good health.
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ACSA Announces 2020 Judging of Craft Spirits Awards
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ChainBridge Distillery Williams Pear Brandy Takes Best in Show
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During this uncertain time, our ACSA judging committee and Board of Directors are eager to bring you a worthwhile distraction. Together, they decided that the show must go on as scheduled, and were thrilled to announce the medalists for ACSA’s 2020 Judging of Craft Spirits in a virtual awards banquet on Monday. The awards ceremony was originally scheduled to coincide with ACSA’s 7th Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show, which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ChainBridge Distillery of Oakland Park, Florida, earned Best of Show for its Williams Pear Brandy. The distillery was founded by distiller Bela Nahori and his family, who first discussed the idea of opening a distillery over Christmas dinner several years ago. The Hungarian-born Nahori was an accountant living in Ohio, but he comes from a long line of alcohol makers. On March 27, 2019, the family’s Christmas wish came true when they opened ChainBridge. Click here to read a Q&A with Nahori that appeared in the September 2019 installment of this newsletter.
ChainBridge also earned Best in Brandy in the Best in Class awards. Other distilleries honored include:
Best in Gin
Wight VVitch Midwestern Gin
Best in RTDs
Salt Flats Kentucky Mule
Best in Rum
The Funk
Best in Specialty Spirits
Wigle Saffron Amaro
Best in Vodka
Boot Hill Distillery Vodka
Best in Whiskey
The Notch Nantucket Island Single Malt Whisky 12 Years
Medalists were hand-selected among a pool of nearly 500 entrants. This year, entries were submitted from 42 states across the country in seven main categories: Whiskey, Gin, Rum, Vodka & Grain Spirits, Brandy, Specialty Spirits, and Ready to Drink (RTD), a new category added this year. Back again for a second year, ACSA also awarded a series of Innovation Awards, which aim to recognize remarkable spirits whose flavor profiles may stray from their category’s signature notes. In addition to a Best of Show and the Best of Class Distinctions, the judging panel awarded 23 Gold, 81 Silver, and 173 Bronze medals.
The virtual awards ceremony was hosted by Maggie Campbell, Chair of Judging Competition (Privateer Rum), and Dan Garrison (Garrison Brothers Distillery). Judging took place in October at Cardinal Sprits in Bloomington, Indiana. We are grateful to Campbell (ACSA’s Vice President), Colton Weinstein (Corsair Distillery), Jeff Wuslich (Cardinal Spirits) and all the volunteers who ensured a professionally run competition.
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Sponsor Spotlight: Independent Stave Co.
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Independent Stave Company has been a fixture of the spirits community in its many forms for more than 100 years, as it’s been crafting oak barrels and other cooperage products since the early 20th century. And in that time the industry has enjoyed many successes and navigated through more than its share of challenges—not the least of which is the current COVID-19 pandemic. Account manager Chad Spalding offers some of his thoughts on that, as well as some of the more positive trends and developments within the world of craft spirits.
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How is the COVID-19 pandemic affecting your business and how are you adapting during these times?
Currently our top priority is the health and safety of our employees. We are following all state and federal guidelines and in most cases we are going above and beyond what is recommended. While some of our customers have moved to the production of sanitizer or temporarily shut down, the vast majority of our customers continue to operate and we are focused on meeting their supply demands. Our supply chain is currently in operation and we have adequate inventories to last for many months. We are addressing this crisis one day at a time and looking at every opportunity to support our employees, customers and communities.
On a brighter note, what are some of the biggest trends in craft spirits that you are watching in 2020 and beyond, and why?
Lots of exciting things going on right now, such as secondary barrel finishing to add complexity to traditional spirit flavor profiles. The American single malt category is also getting a lot of attention as it looks for opportunities to define itself in the market.
What are some of the biggest questions/requests you get from spirits producers?
As a barrel producer we get a lot of interesting questions from distillers looking at ways to use oak to their advantage. Common requests are ways to improve color, flavor and perceived maturity. We have many options that can increase extractives and facilitate oxygenation.
Can you briefly walk us through your lineup of barrels, and the distinguishing differences between the Classic, Cooper’s Select and Cooper’s Reserve?
The main feature that differentiates our barrel portfolio is wood age. The Classic barrel is the most popular, it features six-month air dried wood and comes in char levels 1-4. Our Cooper’s Select barrel has been gaining a lot of momentum in the market and features 18-month wood age. The Cooper’s Reserve barrel is made with 24-month air dried material and is offered in American, French or European oak. All of our barrels come with different toast and char level options, and can be modified to fit your barrel program.
You all rolled out a Small Batch Series in 2019, right? What has the reaction been so far and what type of growth do you see for those?
Our Small Batch Toasted barrels were released in 2019 and was a direct result of 10-plus years of experimentation by our R&D Department. The Small Batch Wave and Spiral Cut barrels have been a part of our lineup since 2017, and have been well received in the market. The presentations and tastings we have been doing are generating a lot of excitement, anyone who sits down with us understands the value, difference and impact the Small Batch Series can make to a baseline product, LTO or other premium offering.
Are there any other new products or initiatives coming soon or in the years ahead that you’re excited to share?
ISC is always looking for new and innovative products to make the best spirits in the world. We currently have thousands of barrels laid down across the U.S. with different mash bills and barrel options, so we will continue to test and experiment, and release new products in the future. One new option our sister company, Oak Solutions Group, just released is our High Proof Series of oak adjuncts. This series offers four different toasts, giving distillers the ability to dial into specific flavor targets to enhance the profile of their spirit.
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From Craft Spirits magazine
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Can anyone in the U.S. ever really make ‘agricole’ rum?
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Click on the Cover Image to
Read the Latest Issue …
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Catch Up With All of Our Back Issues…
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And Stay Tuned for the Next Issue…
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The fifth bi-monthly edition of Craft Spirits magazine is coming to your inbox in April. In our cover story, we’ll present a detailed, numbers-driven look at the State of the Craft Spirits Market, based on the 2020 Craft Spirits Data Project , a partnership among ACSA, Park Street and IWSR.
Other highlights include:
Technically Speaking: Distillery Design & Architecture
What are all the safety & structural considerations when designing a new facility?
Raw Materials: Rye Report
We look at distillers’ efforts to develop heirloom rye varietals.
Charitable Efforts: Craft Gives Back
We detail craft spirits producers’ community support efforts.
…And Much More!
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Share Your Story With Craft Spirits Magazine
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Do you have exciting stories to share about your distillery? We’re on the lookout for news for future issues of Craft Spirits magazine.
Keep us posted on new products, events, trends, tips and more by sending us a note at news@americancraftspirits.org.
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Publications Remove Paywalls for Pandemic Coverage
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Poll: Support in a Pandemic
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Despite challenges to your business, have you been able to provide support to your community?
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If you answered ‘yes’ to the first question, what type of support have you provided?
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Donated to local food bank
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Supported programs that assist bar and restaurant staff
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Support for healthcare workers and/or first responders
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Support for Meals on Wheels or other elder care initiatives
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Have you recently increased the amount you tip for takeout/delivery orders?
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In our February newsletter, we asked if you (or any distilleries you know of) had a surprise inspection from OSHA.
Yes: 33.3%
No: 66.7%
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Welcome Newest Voting, Affiliate and Candidate Members!
ACSA extends a warm welcome to a few of our newest members:
Find out more about becoming a member here .
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Did You Know?
- The TTB has issued 3,307 DSPs! Find the full list here.
- The earliest thermometers weren’t filled with mercury. They were filled with brandy.
- Don’t miss these upcoming drink holidays:
April 9: National Gin & Tonic Day
April 19: National Amaretto Day
May 7: National Cosmopolitan Day
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