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Dear Friends in our Craft Spirits Community:
One should feel perpetual happiness in Washington, D.C., this month amongst the cherry blossoms. Walking around the tidal basin enveloped by deep and soft pink hues of magnificent blossoms clearly puts the visitor in a great mood. Even though I’ve lived in the D.C. area for more than 35 years, the splendor of the experience never gets old. Another top D.C. experience, for tourists and residents alike, is to visit and savor some of the best craft spirits in the country. D.C. attracted early adopters of craft spirits production and its former Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration promulgated regulations to support today’s spirits business. Yet, tourism and modern regulation could not keep afloat two D.C. craft distillers. In just a few days, two more craft distilleries will close their doors. How many more will shudder by the end of 2024? Sadness energizes action.
Recognizing the problem, however, is only a part of the solution. It’s a good first step. Craft spirits have strong economic headwinds and without legislative and regulatory changes, DSPs will continue to shutter. ACSA knows the economic business climate continues to be stacked against our craft spirits producers. For that very reason, it is digging in deep to advance the third pillar of ACSA’s strategic plan: Increase Market Access.
Long supporters of direct-to-consumer (DtC) shipping, ACSA has expanded its DtC committee to evaluate, plan and execute on all facets of market channel access and has thus rebranded that body to a Market Access Committee. It will be chaired by our current Board of Directors Vice President, Kelly Woodcock from Portland, Oregon-based Westward Whiskey. Working with ACSA’s state policy advisor, Michael Walker, we will continue our efforts with state guilds to advance legislative priorities to give our community a chance to create a long-lasting, profitable business climate.
How can you help? Get involved! If you’re not a member of ACSA, join now. If you care about governance and the future of craft spirits, VOTE for the board of directors. If you understand the power of grassroots advocacy, RSVP and mark your calendar for September 17-18 to join us with our climb on Capitol Hill during our Legislative Fly-In. If you have ideas, time and energy to share, join a committee. Lest you forget about five years ago, small brands paid a federal excise tax equal to that of large brands. Because of joining arms, and collectively uniting teams across all alcohol beverage categories, we were able to reduce that excise tax from $13.50 to $2.70 per proof gallon. That was a start in making a difference in spirits businesses profitability. There’s lots more work to do.
Don’t be in the dark. Continue reading the latest in spirits news in CRAFT SPIRITS magazine. The new issue is out! And, if you missed our last webinar or any others, go to our library archives to be educated.
I’m glad I have spirits on my home bar from those distilleries that will be closing. I’m equally happy that D.C. still is home to one of my favorite producers of rum and that there are ample choices in neighboring Virginia and Maryland. I’m ready to do my part to make sure that is true for many years to come. Are you?
Cheers,
Margie |
