American Craft Spirits Association

The American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) is the only registered national nonprofit trade group representing the community of U.S. craft spirits makers. Founded in 2013, ACSA is governed by 15 democratically elected representatives who make up its Board of Directors. The current president is Becky Harris of Catoctin Creek Craft Distilling Co. and the CEO is Margie A.S. Lehrman. Its members include small businesses producing craft spirits (distilleries) and distilleries in planning, as well as companies who supply products and services to craft distilleries.
ACSA advocates on behalf of its members to promote a sound business climate for craft distilleries; hosts an annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show; conducts an annual Judging of Craft Spirits Competition; presents regular educational webinars and regional programs; conducts annual economic research; and publishes the bimonthly CRAFT SPIRITS magazine and website craftspiritsmag.com.
== Advocacy Efforts ==
ACSA regularly advocates on behalf of its membership, working with members of Congress to create a business environment supportive of small and independent distillers. ACSA was an ardent advocate for the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, which significantly reduced federal excise tax (FET) rates on craft distillers and was made permanent at the end of 2020. Prior to its permanent passage, the act was first approved in 2017 for two years and then extended through the end of 2020 in a larger tax package signed by the president at the end of 2019. Throughout the fight for FET relief, ACSA co-hosted public policy conferences in Washington, D.C., with more than 150 craft distillers attending the event in 2019. And along with a broad group of industry associations, ACSA also helped organize several days of action and sent letters to Congress to urge passage of the act. 
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, ACSA also worked closely with industry leaders and partners—and started a working group—to assemble information and resources to help distillers make hand sanitizer and respond during a time of crisis. Along with industry partners, ACSA also worked with members of Congress and government associations to convey the need for support for the craft distilling industry.
== Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show ==
ACSA hosts an Annual Distillers’ Convention and Vendor Trade Show, bringing together current and aspiring distillers and industry allies for multiple days of education and networking. Past conventions were held in Minneapolis; Pittsburgh; Nashville, Tennessee; Chicago; Austin, Texas; and Denver. After cancelling its scheduled 2020 in-person convention in Portland, Oregon, due to COVID-19, the association held a virtual summit. The next in-person convention will take place Dec. 4.-6 in Louisville, Kentucky.
== Annual Judging of Craft Spirits==
ACSA has conducted its Annual Judging of Craft Spirits competition since 2014.11 Spirits are evaluated by a panel of distinguished judges and the competition recognizes the best craft spirits in the categories of Vodka/Grain, Gin, Brandy, Rum, Whiskey and Specialty Spirits. The competition recently expanded to include Ready to Drink Cocktails (RTDs). It also now recognizes and awards Innovation as some spirits belie traditional characteristics of a category. 
== CRAFT SPIRITS magazine ==
Launched in 2019, CRAFT SPIRITS magazine is a bi-monthly digital magazine with information and analysis for small, independent spirits producers and allied businesses. Through its companion website craftspirtsmag.com, the magazine also offers daily news from and about the craft distilling industry.
== Craft Spirits Data Project ==
In partnership with Park Street and International Wine and Spirits Research (IWSR), ACSA researches and analyzes economic trends in the craft spirits industry via the Craft Spirits Data Project, which was launched in 2016. The project is regularly cited by the media as it helps put the “industry's size, growth, and breadth into context.”