Beauport Bob

Steve F., ADI Conference!! You can meet all these workshope facilitators there. I do not think 3-5 days is too long for what you would have access to. If the expense is a concern,as Mark relates, you are going to invest a lot in this so a relativly few dollars up front is wise. Especially the ADI conference. And even if it convinces you do or do not want to pursue this. You will get your "Buck sixty's" worth with Steve at Virtuoso. These workshops are what they are. We hosted Bavarian's here in Gloucester twice. They work hard and care what for what is done at these workshops, as I'm confident all the others do also. But it is a platform for you to be exposed to segments of the Industry. Much to the newbies fustration and as I'm sure all the established distillers will agree, this is not fast food, McDonalds University type training. You'll notice Viking calls theirs "Your First Big Step to the Next Big Thing". First Big Step and that is a week long. Visit Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries, heck, come up and visit us. My son will be in NYC for the next 10 weeks, for a cup of good coffee he may meet and talk openly with you. Cheers,

Well, I'll raise my hand. And I'm sure there are many others. We at Ryan & Wood are making, and currently aging a wheat whiskey. In fact as soon as label approval comes throught we intend to start the launch process. We have two barrels where we want it. I'm sorry I did not commit more assets to the product a few years back.

I do thank Charles for helping to keep me informed. We are in design of our own similar product to companion our aged spirits. If "Big Al" wants to do the advertising for me, at least with this product, I'm OK with that. Cheers

Jesse @ Trident Welding has some in the field. There are variations on designs of Mash tuns. If you know what you want to accomplish, he has the design.

Thank you both for the info, Cheers, Bob

OK, I finally will bite. Could you explain why you want "tinted" glasses? Do not all the senses play a roll in making choices? We use the Glencairn. Yes, Andy is a decent fellow to work with. But I also enjoy those little bowl with tulip glasses Bill Owens had at the San Fransisco Conference 2 years ago. Anyone with a connect on those? and the covers? or were they just broken stems?

Yes, We call it a "Mug up" here. Give a call so we jam up this forum no longer.

Curtis, The addition of an entrance key on a site is to give the appearence of of an effort to comply with an industry recommendation. Not a legal aspect. Yet. Go ahead and "Search" this forum for previous threads on many of the questions and response available. And there is a lot on here!! A great resource. From the "about us" section of the DISCUS website: "The Distilled Spirits Council is the national trade association representing America’s leading distillers and nearly 70% of all distilled spirits brands sold in this country. Over the years, the Council has served as the distillers’ voice on policy and legislative issues in our nation’s capital, state capitals and foreign capitals worldwide. Our strong commitment to responsibility is the foundation of everything we do as an organization and as an industry." Every industry needs a vehicle to represent for its "members" on one hand, and on the other hand keep the industry as a whole heading in one unified direction. This is spelled two ways: Lobbyist and P.A.C. Annual Membership fees could be in the 6 figures. I do wonder how the "Craft Distillers" Division is doing. Could someone comment on a seperate thread to update? Are Mr. Maytag, Mr. Erenzo, Mr. McKenzie, et al, still the leadership on that division? Cheers

It is a short drive from Brighton (?).

Curtis, a thought of well meaning concern. There is "experience" and there is "experience". You are going to spend a lot of money to get set up to a point of profitability, someday. I would recommend that you do yourself a favor and at least for your own sanity, unless you already have, look into the purchase of a proven still. Not challenging your skill, just that this is not a hobby and effeciency is key. And if you are still calling the license authority "atf" rather than "TTB" it shows you may yet have miles to go. Have you been up here to Gloucester? Feel free to come by for a chat. Also, give Jesse a call at Trident Welding. His info can be found on this site. It may save you (and your customers) a lot of "Headaches".

Bastian, of course you know there is no allowance for "Hobby" distilling in the U.S.

Dave, Try this Section 5 on Page 3 http://www.ttb.gov/forms/f510031.pdf Bob

Hi Dave, I'll look for the Chapter & Verse, but if you have a paper copy of application label approval, it will list the available changes on the Instructions page.

Hello Curtis... from Gloucester. Glad you jumped into the forum. Cheers, Bob

"Add in essence" , I believe a cocktail is a cocktail, as long as the alcohol was attained legally (tax Paid). You would be more advised to register and check with the FDA about that. SSW...to the original discussion of the thread here, I am interested, are your ingredients FDA approved? "GRAS" = generally regarded as safe for this application. I would congratulate you on finding "I hit upon a method and set of flavors that are unlike anything commercially available.". You will have the next big thing to sell. Cheers, Bob

I, and likely all of us, was contacted by Mr. Reimer months ago. I do not even remember if I responded. We all are bombarded with info searching contacts that are of no value. So Mr. Reimer, if I am not on your current list of distilleries please re-connect and I will give you a nice outline. Bob@ryanandwood.com

Limitations to self distribution!! We here at Ryan & Wood currently limit our delivery sphere to 1/2 a tank of gas. That way I can find my way back home. Also, that sphere is only a semi-sphere. The Atlantic Ocean takes the other half. But seriously, we self distribute. The actual physical deliver is only a part of the hassel. The invoicing account management, collections, and here is the biggie: shelf protection! Mom & Pop can go to the shelves and visibly place an order on the floor, if you are calling each account each week. The bigger stores (notice I did not say "chains", in MA vendors are limited to 3 locations per company), have inventory software which can trigger a call to us. It is the tweeners that are vulneable. We find our product moved to behind lolly columns, pushed to the back so no label facing, relocated to the floor shelf for sticker shock, and other various tactics employed by commission or sales goal oriented entities. That all is discussion on off-premis Retail sales. On-premise,..oye! The real world people. My point is, there is a tipping point to number of accounts you can manage efficiently. We are currently interviewing distributors, there are about 50 covering MA, to get basically 40 "product protectors" out there in the field rather than us one or two. Another item, was not the 3 tier system put in place 1933, with no regard for the year 2011? No computers, criminals were legitimatized for their talent to distribute, all in an effort to get product to the consumer with a bottleneck, the distributor, to collect the tax base, the reason for Repeal? Am I wrong on that? Fingers are tired now. Cheers, Bob

Porter, I imagine that the reason for the "Teeth" on the edges of our plates? Too spread the vapor?

Porter, could you expand on the internet sales. One question in particular, Internet sales. Within the state or also across state lines? Thanks, Bob

Interesting!

Thank you all. Bob

Any advice out there about in-house label printers for very short run products. I know it would be expensive at about a $2000. investment, plus ink, stock, etc. I remember a thread where R. Hobbs recommended Quicklabel.com. Any comments or perhaps a machine for sale? Cheers, Bob

If the question is Tape vs Glue, the paper, not just paper but the reinforced type, is like gold verses the clear type. Also, contact your carton supplier to look for a good deal on appropriate tape for your carton. Ask even for an old applicator machine. They all have a room full of these things. The tape sold in the big retail stores will be useless. The flaps will slid out from under the cheaper tape. For six packs of 750mls tape is fine. But 12 packs for liters I recommend a real heavy tape or glue on the bottom. In my past experience in packaging, 30 lbs boxes, we glued the bottom with a simple brush and glue bucket. We taped the top. Actually tape the top, fill the cartons upside down, glue the bottom and set on the pallet upside right for the weight of the product to set the glue. Think of who will be handling the product beyond your delivery.

PeteB, just a quick question andprobably off target: Are you using a whiskey yeast of a super start? 2.5 days seems fast for an semi open fermenter?

while you have the time and energy now, go to whatever distilling class you can. Travel should not be an issue considering your long term investment. Go to ADI Conference. Attend the workshops put on by the still manufacturers. Visit whomever you can. including us in Gloucester, MA. Give us a call to visit. By the way, check your state regs regarding differences in being a wholesaler/importer/exporter, reletive to state lines, and a distiller. In Massachusetts the distillers license alone does not allow you to bring in contracted work.