California Distillers Go to D.C. to Support The Craft Spirits Modernization and Tax Reform...
On July 22-23 a small delegation of California distillers went to Washington D.C. to attend the Public Policy Conference hosted by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) and the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA). The primary...
DTC is Craft Distilling’s Pro-Choice Moment
Since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 federal and state governments have held a tight rein over the US liquor market. Only in limited circumstances has a consumer been able to purchase a bottle of liquor from the person...
Reading the label — The Basics
Product labels are among the many critical items in the distillery start-up process, and they are just as important in the growth of the distiller’s product line in the marketplace. Whether simple and direct, or complex and wordy, the...
FET and a Call to Action
American distillers are bracing for an uncertain future as the expiration of the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA) fast approaches. Unless the US congress grants another one-year extension, as they did at the end of 2019,...
Congress Punts on FET Legislation for One Week
The US Congress today voted to extend by one week their deadline to approve a 2021 spending bill, avoiding in the short term a government shut down, but prolonging further the years-long anxiety felt by craft distillers facing a...
U.S. Legislation 2022 Year in Review
2022 brought some great legislative breakthroughs for the craft spirits industry, including expanded direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping access for distillers and progress on achieving parity with other alcohol products. Unlike our wine brethren, the spirits industry is severely restricted from...
FET Follow-up: How Distilleries are Capitalizing on Permanent FET Reduction
When the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act was initially passed at the end of 2017 (with an effective date of January 1, 2018), it marked both the culmination of years of effort and also the beginning of...
A Law of Unintended Consequences
When it comes to the law of unintended consequences, there is now the case of a law, originally intended to encourage the use of Michigan farm products within the state’s distilleries and brewpubs, unexpectedly transforming the Wolverine State into...
Issue Brief: Spirits Direct-to-Consumer Shipping in New York
Click here to contact your local legislator and let them know you want direct to consumer shipping of NY spirits!
Consumers Are Driving Demand for Spirits Direct-to-Consumer (DtC) Shipping
A recent consumer survey found that 80% of spirits consumers want to...
The Promise, Peril, and Potential of Direct to Consumer Spirit Sales
Before we start, I’d like to say that I am a fan of craft spirits. My admittedly selfish desire is to get more out into the world, not only for me but also for everyone of legal age to...
