t While words
these may
exact
not
have
been spoken, this was the general idea when a few visionaries from the
industry
banded
together just a few short
We h
people
licensed Doing
producers. so
ensures
of the craft distilling industry, in order to form
that the future of the
an organization of protection, awareness and prosperity
organization is guided
for ourselves and our brethren, do ordain and establish the American Craft Distilling Association.
skin in the game, while still providing a valuable comers.
American Craft Distilling (ACDA).
by those who really have
resource for the up-and-
months ago to form the Association
e
by Rockwell Rutter
Membership
dues
are based on a sliding
As an official 501(c)6 non-profit organization, ACDA has one simple goal: to promote
scale, dependent on how many proof gallons removed from bond
and protect artisan distilling in the United States. Ex-Officio
a distillery produces in a year. A small shop shipping out less
member Dave Pickerel says, “The trade organization is supposed
than 5,000 proof gallons annually can expect to pay around
to take people from the ends of the earth who are broadly $200, while the larger scale distillers producing up to 100,000 interested in the same goal, and bring them all together for the
annually will contribute about $5,000, with several levels in
common good.” Until now, distillers have been more or less on
between. ACDA is committed to bringing those dollars right
their own in trying to lobby support for our beloved industry; back to the distillers, however, with benefits like wholesaler and there simply wasn’t a strong unified voice. Now, these few brave
retailer support, member representation at trade shows, annual
souls aim to change that.
conferences and more.
With the experience and knowledge that this group is armed
With this kind of leadership in place, members can rest
with, they know the road ahead will be long and arduous. assured that ACDA will steadily move towards its goal of Executive Director Pennfield Jensen says, “One of the things
supporting the industry in any way possible. “Our focus will be
we’ve got going against us is the amount of misinformation that on brand building, public outreach, and advanced educational exists in the public and with lawmakers. It’s hard for the little
workshops and seminars. ACDA is not a lobbying organization,”
guy to go out on their own; that’s why we started ACDA.”
Jensen adds, “But we will support legislation that improves the
Strong organizations begin with a strong foundation. It’s easy
business environment of craft distillers on national and state
for a few people to come together with big hopes and dreams of levels.” One example of this strategy is the good relationship changing the face of an industry, but in order for there to be any ACDA has with DISCUS (Distilled Spirits Council of the United lasting power, a certain amount of structure has to be put into
States), a lobbying group working tirelessly to advance the
place. For example, while membership in ACDA is open to anyone, interests of distillers. voting rights are limited to only those members who are federally
Sometimes, being a good leader is knowing when not to
12 www.ArtisanSpiritmag.com