Amid Economic Turmoil Congress Should Act to Make FET Reductions Permanent
Most distilleries, wineries and breweries have benefited from the last few years’ of lower Federal Excise Rates (“FET)” thanks to passage of the Craft Beverage Modernization Act by Congress. That Act temporarily reduced excise taxes for producers, especially craft producers....
Who’s Working for Whom?
Why did you get into the craft-spirits business? Most people have an answer similar to Mike Selberg, founder of Cannon Beach Distillery in Oregon: “I had no real experience in the industry, I just knew I wanted to make...
Why Is 40% the Default Strength for Spirits?
Most stories about spirit proof mention British Navy proof, because it’s such an amazing contrast to our present day reality and a nifty story. But it also neatly frames the entire complex of issues that gave rise to our...
Make Your Voice Heard
On October 19, 2018, the Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) published its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2018–2022. TTB’s second strategic goal of the five-year plan is to “facilitate commerce through a modern labeling program focused on service...
Caledonian Conflict
Graeme Macaloney opened his Victoria Caledonia brewery and distillery on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, in 2016. His idea? Make an extraordinary Scotch-style whisky that reflected the Pacific Northwest. He hired Jim Swan, the late, legendary Scotch consultant, and imported...
U.S. Distilled Spirits Industry Leaders Launch “Spirits United” Grassroots Platform to Mobilize Community of...
WASHINGTON, DC – Spirits United (https://www.spiritsunited.org/), a new multifaceted grassroots tool aimed at bringing together a broad base of spirits advocates from industry professionals to consumers, was formally launched today by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS),...
A Whiskey by Any Other Name
At the end of 2014, the TTB issued a clarifying “Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)” regarding age statements on whiskey labels. It was significant, as it reinforced the TTB’s firm stance on label compliance, especially for whiskey and bourbon labels....
How to Prepare for a TTB Site Visit
As a new or emerging distillery, it’s important to learn about the types of interactions that you may have with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) during the time in which your distillery is operational, as...
I Made This from Scratch
The era was not too dissimilar from the current one, in which a group of distillers set about protecting the images and their brands through regulations to create a certain designation on their label. Just as a valiant group...
Lawsuit Filed by Granholm Attorney in Washington State will Move Forward
On October 24th, the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Washington tossed out a motion from the State of Washington to dismiss a lawsuit filed earlier this year challenging the state’s ability to restrict out-of-state distillers from...
