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News
US trade body creates Craft Advisory Council
The Distilled Spirits Council has formed the Craft Advisory Council, which will address policy issues impacting ‘craft’ distillers.
Virginia’s Catoctin Creek is a member of the new Craft Advisory Council
The new council will also “enhance the member experience for its craft members” and guide the trade body’s programming and benefits for ‘craft’ distillers.
“Discus [Distilled Spirits Council] is fully committed to understanding and advancing the issues important to our craft distiller members,” said Chris Swonger, president and CEO of Distilled Spirits Council and Responsibility.org.
“This new Craft Advisory Council, comprised of leaders in our industry, will help us to unite distillers of all sizes to speak with a single, powerful voice.”
The Craft Advisory Council will be chaired by Ted Huber, co-owner of Indiana’s Starlight Distillery. It will hold quarterly calls and meet twice a year.
“As one of the first Discus craft members, I fully understand the critical importance of distillers large and small working together to advance the spirits industry’s public policy agenda,” said Huber.
“From securing a permanent federal excise tax cut to urging an end to retaliatory tariffs, there are challenging days ahead.
“Craft distillers play a significant role in educating lawmakers about these critical issues as well as the role we play in our communities.”
The Craft Advisory Council, which currently has 22 craft distiller members, includes Scott Harris of Catoctin Creek Distilling, Paul Hletko of Few Spirits, Rob Sergent of Alpine Distilling, and Amir Peay of James E Pepper Distillery, among others.