kkbodine

We pump through a pad filter from the tank to the gravity filler reservoir. Keith

Hello all distillers in control states, three questions. 1. Does your state allow you to sell bottles? 2. Do you have to physically transfer them to the state controlled warehouse before you can sell them at your retail shop? 3. Does your state make you buy them from the warehouse as other retailers (if any) would? Thanks for your input, Keith P.S. Here in Maine we must send cases to the state, buy them (as the retailer), then we can sell them in our retail shop, and we eventually get paid the wholesale price (as the manufacturer). It is a logistical and cash flow nightmare. Keith Bodine Sweetgrass Farm Winery & Distillery Union ME 207-785-3024 keith@sweetgrasswinery.com

They see websites as advertising. Most changes involved alcohol content statements and making text statements conform to standards of identity. So we could not refer to our cranberry flavored gin as "a unique gin infused with cranberries..." nor make comparisons to port. They sent a letter... I do not remember any specific penalties but they can always threaten your basic permit. Some of it seemed potentially heavy handed ... can one quote a review that makes comparisons? It was easier to make the few changes and move on. On Facebook they wanted a statement of alc. % and "Distilled from Grain". Keith

The TTB sent us a detailed letter reviewing every aspect of our website and Facebook page. They had some very specific changes for us to make but never mentioned an age check. Cheers, Keith

Have you tried Presque Isle Wine Cellars, piwine.com? Cheers, Keith

This is a very common scam. The credit card numbers are stolen and will eventually be disputed by the owner and the charges reversed to you. Meanwhile you will be out the money sent to the "shipping company" via Western Union or whatever service (the scammer can pickup the money at any WU office in any country). See http://forum.419eater.com/forum/index.php You can report the numbers via the above mentioned forum and they will get shut down. My credit card processor did not care about the stolen numbers when I reported to them. Cheers, Keith

I want to clarify what we do. Mainly, we do tastings with some explanation of the process depending on time etc. We seldom do tours except for specific groups, by arrangement, special events .... These always include a tasting followed by sales. Tastings are how we sell most of our production; tours are rare and thus a small part of sales. I'm usually a busy one person shop so cannot give tours most of the time; but customers can take a look into the production area. I do not believe it would be worthwhile to dedicate labor to regular tours for a small operation; most customers seem happy with a quick look then on to the tasting. Keith

Hi Scott, Since we are both a winery and distillery, and in a tourist area, our plan has always been direct sales. We do about 98% direct; 50% tourists 50% local. Yes it takes time and can be difficult but we build brand loyalty directly with the consumer. Having the two product lines reinforces sales of both. In Maine we have to pay an extra $100 to become a retailer and can only retail our own products; we cannot be a full blown agency store. There are no requirements regarding bathrooms (we do not have one) but I'm guessing handicap access is required by the ADA. Maine is a control state so the retail markup is fixed at the same rate as a normal agency store, usually 10-12%. If I were in a more remote location, like you, I would consider opening only certain days like weekends, and see how it goes. Feel free to email/call me directly. Cheers, Keith

You also must have enough bond coverage for the possible tax liability at any given time. Keith

On the next tax return that covers when the spirit left the bonded area. We file quarterly. Cheers, Keith

I emailed him directly. He played innocent like he just wanted to buy a shirt. But why go to all the trouble of writing a false story? No response to that last question. On a related topic: The wine shipping scam works like this. They get you to quote the price and tell you to contact their "shipping agent" who gives you a shipping cost. The fake buyer emails you stolen credit card numbers and asks you to charge them in increments adding up to the total plus shipping. Then they want you to Western Union the shipping payment to the "shipping agent". The WU money can be picked up anywhere in the world at any WU office. They generally don't pick up any product. In a variation of the scam they do want you to Fedex it but supply falsified labels so they do take receipt. Want more info just email me. Keith

Received it today too. Clearly bogus as we don't have any shirts except custom ones we own and we haven't been on any planes lately. Keith

Assuming you mean to apply labels to the bottles; Two questions: round bottles? Pressure sensitive labels? We use the labeler from St. Pat's, stpats.com look under bottling section Cheers, Keith

Hobbyists do all sorts of things that have no basis is commercial production, which is our reality. For example, making wine with lots of added water. Bentonite would help settle solids but are the solids hurting anything? Does one want to wait for bentonite to do its job considering the time involved and the increased spoilage possibilities? In winemaking (a well preserved environment), we typically wait one to two weeks to allow sufficient settling. Even then, bentonite does not always settle well. You could try it on a small batch and see. My prediction is that it will be detrimental or have no effect on the final flavor of a molasses based rum. Thus a waste of time and materials. Also, note that you will loose up to 10% to lees when you rack off the clarified wash. Cheers, Keith

If you have not done so already, go to the TTB website and download a copy of the Beverage Alcohol Manual (volume 2 Spirits), http://www.ttb.gov/spirits/bam.shtml. It has a lot of great information regarding labeling, additives, standards of identity et al that you will want to know. Also, check out: http://www.ttb.gov/industry_circulars/arch...val_spirits.pdf Cheers, Keith

You will need to register your plant with the FDA if you have not done so already. I seem to remember doing it online. Otherwise, like Ralph stated, the TTB is the controlling body most of the time unless you are adding something not already recognized. Cheers, Keith

I have to disagree with the last two points. Gas is very easy to control with a simple valve. In both cases if you use licensed installers the cost is probably less to install gas (LP in my case). For gas you are paying almost nothing for the piping but do have labor. For the heavy electric you need a large incoming service, heavy wiring, heavy switching/control, and the labor. Keith

It also seems to help if the building has its own address. We used a barn just down the road, maybe 200 feet max, from our other structures (house, barn, garage). Our town required us to go through a change of use process to go from farm to retail (apparently in their view retail is more of a change than winery/DSP but I digress). This also meant a new address for the barn thereby making it a seperate place. Cheers, Keith

We have a 400L Hoga still and have been very happy with it. Armindo is easy to deal with but is not a consultant on what to make or how to make it. Email me if you need more specific info. Cheers, Keith

I could not find it either. Keith

I don't see an approved COLA for anything but vodka from Dogfish. Perhaps it did not fly with the TTB? Keith

Scott are you referring to hoses for transfers? Keith

Yes we have redemption on spirits, wine, beer, soda, juice,... As a producer/retailer we collect the 0.15 which gets sent to the state via monthly returns. The return amount is offset by any redemptions. Redemption centers collect empties and get 0.18 from us if we pick them up. Yes we get to pick them up too or hire a company to do it (I think they get around 0.25). Oh what a wonderful "system" Cheers, Keith

In Maine we have two levels: Brewer's DSP $50 (I think) Regular DSP $1000 plus $100 to be a retailer. I did not also want to be a brewery (besides a winery and DSP) so we get to pay the $1100. Keith