AMERICAN DISTILLING INSTITUTE

The American Distilling Institute is looking forward to our 20th anniversary conference this summer in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since our first conference in California, which brought together a few dozen distillers and a handful of suppliers. This year, join thousands of attendees and hundreds of exhibitors for an exciting two days of learning, networking, and fellowship at the Mirage Casino and Resort in Las Vegas on August 23-24. Workshops, masterclasses, trainings, and symposia before and after the conference are confirmed. All conference information, including host hotel, schedule, and registration pricing can be found at www.distilling.com.

We’re also celebrating the successful conclusion of ADI’s 16th annual International focus on the advocacy work, which is near and dear to my heart. At a time when the economic headwinds we are all facing have led to even more challenges for craft producers, I plan to continue to challenge the beverage industry to modernize and give small producers access to their customers in the many ways that wineries in the U.S. enjoy. I hope I can count on all spirits fans to join me in advocating to keep our sector as exciting and vibrant as it has been since the craft spirits movement really began to gain momentum.

Becky Harris President, Head Distiller, Catoctin Creek Secretary, Board Member, STEPUP Foundation Board Member, American Craft Spirits Association

Spirits Competition. The quality of entrants was extremely high, and a full list of winners can be found online at www.distilling.com. All entrants to the International Spirits Competition receive written feedback from expert judges, maximizing value for competitors. If you didn’t get a chance to submit this year, mark your calendar to submit in the winter of 2024.

Erik Owens President, American Distilling Institute

Distilled Spirits Council Of The United States

Cheers to 50 Years: DISCUS Celebrates Five Decades of Advancing the Spirits Industry

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) is raising a glass to a special milestone — 50 years of effective advocacy on behalf of the spirits industry and adult spirits consumers. This anniversary comes in a historic year for the industry with DISCUS recently announcing that for the first time U.S. spirits supplier revenues surpassed beer in 2022. To mark this momentous occasion, DISCUS is launching a yearlong celebration including a commemorative logo, #Cheersto50Years social media activation, special recognition and events at the upcoming DISCUS annual conference, and a grand celebration this fall at the new DISCUS office at 101 Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C.

First Quarter 2023 State Government Relations Accomplishments

While state legislative activity is still in high gear in 37 states, the DISCUS State Government Relations Team has already secured key wins across nine states in the first quarter of the year. In Arkansas, off-premise retail sales of 50 mL spirits containers were authorized and the off-premise retail tastings law expanded to increase sample sizes, halve permit fees, and allow participation by manufacturer representatives. In Colorado, the team defeated a Breckenridge Town Council ordinance to ban plastic beverage alcohol containers less than a half gallon. In Kentucky, the barrel tax phase-out was signed into law. In Massachusetts, cocktails to-go, including delivery, was extended for one year to April 1, 2024. In Maryland and Mississippi, the team defeated wine in grocery stores proposals. In Nevada a Clark County ordinance was adopted allowing on-premise beer and wine licenses to sell “spirit based products” (not over 17 percent ABV). In New Mexico, the governor line-item vetoed provisions of an omnibus tax bill that would have increased the excise tax on spirits, beer, and wine by 20 percent. Finally, in West Virginia the omnibus alcohol bill included expanding off-premise tastings to increase sample sizes and allow mixers and also allows distillers to offer tastings and off-premise sales at fairs and festivals.

DISCUS Earns ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award

DISCUS received the 2023 Energy Star Partner of the Year award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy for its partnership in sharing best practices and resources on energy-saving tools for distilleries. DISCUS partnered with the EPA to launch and disseminate the EnergyStar Guide for Energy Efficiency and Cost Saving Opportunities for Distilleries. The guide, which included nearly 180 energy savings and efficiency opportunities designed specifically for distilleries, was developed based on experiences from distilleries and the wider industry. Each year, the Energy Star program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the transition to a clean energy economy. DISCUS was selected from a network of thousands of Energy Star partners.

Spirits United Forms New Advocacy Team with Top-Tier Leaders from Across the Industry

We are thrilled to announce the formation of the Spirits United Advocacy Team (SUAT). This team will provide strategic guidance to expand our growing platform further and increase engagement and impact on policy issues at the federal and state levels. The inaugural team is made up of thought leaders from across the spirits industry with diverse professional backgrounds and includes Chrissy Beaudette, general manager at Sassenach Spirits; Michael Bender, president of wholesale at Ole Smoky; Elizabeth Conway, director of brand and external communications at Brown-Forman; Brian Facquet, founder and CEO at Do Good Spirits; Katharine Jerkens, chief business officer at Uncle Nearest; and Philip McDaniel, CEO and co-founder at St. Augustine Distillery. Their expertise will help propel Spirits United forward and build upon the successes we have achieved through our grassroots efforts. We are grateful to the entire advocacy team for being strong Spirits United ambassadors.

Ship My Spirits Launches in Illinois

We worked with the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), American Distilling Institute (ADI), and the Illinois Craft Distillers Association to launch Ship My Spirits, our grassroots coalition with the common goal of modernizing the spirits marketplace by allowing direct-to-consumer shipping of distilled spirits in Illinois. We know adult consumers want distilled spirits

National Honey Board

After taking a year off in 2022, the National Honey Board’s Honey Spirits Competition is back! This free competition recognizes the best spirits in the United States that use honey in 12 categories: vodka, gin, bourbon/ whiskey, moonshine, rum, tequila/mezcal, liqueurs/specialty spirits, brandy, spirits distilled from honey — flavored, and packaged cocktails.

Registration for the National Honey Board’s Honey Spirits Competition is open now through Friday, June 30. This is a free competition, and all entries will receive shipped straight from the distillery to their doorbell, and that’s the goal of the Ship My Spirits campaign. Together, we generated more than 1,250 letters to legislators in the first week of the campaign, but we still need your help to keep the drumbeat going. Be sure to make your voice heard!

Responsibility.org Urges Consumers to Summer Responsibly

As we start thinking about warm summer days and vacations, it’s important to reflect on balance and mindfulness when it comes to alcohol consumption. Responsibility starts with each of us, so remember that if you choose to drink, do so with the following tips in mind:

> Alternate water or non alcoholic beverages with your cocktails

> Understand what’s in your drink, what a standard drink is, and how that will affect your blood alcohol concentration or BAC

> Always plan for a safe ride home, and never drive drunk or impaired

> Eat before and during your social occasion

> Never serve or supply alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age

Have a safe and responsible summer! For more info, visit www.responsibility.org.

Chris R. Swonger President & CEO, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

judge’s notes. To qualify for the competition, entries must be commercially available in the United States and use honey or be distilled from honey/mead.

This year’s competition is expected to be our biggest ever due to the