spdskr

My knowledge in this field is minimal but we are looking into the eating establishment as well. It is my understanding that your food sales must make up 60% of your sales. This may be a local deal for us, but I would be interested in hearing what you come away with.

Cheers!

A type 74 (craft distiller) license to distill in CA allows for 1.5oz total tasting per person per day that can now be served as a cocktail.  With a type 74 you may also sell a total of 2.25 liters of spirit per person per day for off premises consumption. As for serving a cocktail and charging for it will be an issue to take up with your local government. 

Nice.

California

Does California allow tasting rooms and on site sales? I was not aware of that. Are you sure and where can I find this information?.

Thanks

Hello All,

Can anyone lead me in a direction of filtration of vodka? I have experience with a huge schank d.e. filter for beer as well as particle separators from Alfa Leval, but was wondering what people are doing for clear spirits. Any information would be helpful. Hope I'm not "stepping" on any toes.

Cheers!

Mark

This question is better placed and discussed in the "Beginners" string. But to reiterate, READ THE LAW pertaining to the State, in this case California. Any would be distiller has two options when trying to find this type of information: hire someone (usually an overpaid attorney) to do the legwork and advise you; or do your own homework, it isn't rocket science, READ THE LAW. Every state has online regulations and law or can lead you to the proper agency. Aspiring distillery developers without the skills or tenacity to track down this info perhaps should review their other career options.

For those who pose questions looking for help here, remember that those who have this info developed it over time and lots of work; these kinds of solicitations are impolite, in the same way as cutting in line at the theatre.

Lately some inquiries are asking for such as spreadsheets and templates and actual numbers. Please understand these are proprietary information. You wouldn't ask a total stranger, or a potential business competitor to show you his tax return.

R

Thanks for the insight Ralph! I am sorry if anyone out there thinks I am trying to "cut in line". I am simply doing research and believe this is a good place to do it. I have done tons of research on this subject in Montana and find the information that I need to read very accessible. California information on the other hand seems to be a little more difficult to find. I have done numerous searches on-line and have had no luck. I have no difficulties reading the law... it is just finding it. If anyone could direct me to this information so I can read it, it would be greatly appreciated. We are all in this together are we not? Perhaps I misunderstood the use of this forum. I have no interest in anyone else's business plan as it would not pertain to my venture or geographic location.

Thanks again!

Mark

Can anyone direct me to the California laws pertaining to samples or tasting rooms for craft distilleries? Also if anyone has knowledge of research as to this issue for the state of Nevada that would be great too.

Thanks,

Mark

Many people have gone the route of buying and bottling bulk product, ostensibly until their own distillate is ready for market. One problem I see is that, if that product is a fully-aged whiskey, it will be very difficult if not impossible for you to duplicate the product you bought and if you can't, then you've defeated the purpose. I know of no one who has done it successfully except Brown-Forman, which did something like that with Woodford Reserve, although that is a unique situation in many respects and that's also a major corporation, not a micro.

This also assumes that the people who say they are doing this are even telling the truth, but that's a different matter.

It's a slightly different matter with vodka too and plenty of people are buying GNS, bottling it, and pretending they made it. (Have I said too much?) Vodka being what it is, the GNS produced in one still is pretty much like every other, but as others have said, what's your objective? If you intend to make a unique, "craft" product, then what have you accomplished by coming out of the box as a non-distiller marketer of a product made by somebody else?

After doing a quick google search I find that the Vodka that comes in a pretty blue bottle comes in on a rail car from the mid west with one car going to Benicia to be add to gasoline and another heading to an unnamed company on the 101 for packaging. Could this be right?

Mark,

How far along are you in your planning?

I just started thinking seriously about starting a craft whiskey distillery, but am starting at square one...just trying to research the trade. I'm in San Diego, but I have a consulting company in Sacramento.

Jordan

Jordan,

I sent you an email today, but did not include this site that is in Chico called Pioneer Spirits. You may want to check them out. They have some good pics and info on how they got started.

Mark

We're the first licensed distillery in Montana....

Good luck in your venture(s)!

Bryan

Any word on George's license at Yellowstone? Are you in production yet? Thanks!

Welcome Marc!

Do you plan to open two distilleries?

Best wishes,

George

Not sure. I believe I have some good marketing in Montana and this is where I was born and raised, but l have spent the last 7 years at SNBC and the north tahoe area. I have people interested in both sites. I would like to find out more about getting started in Montana, but if there was interest in Nor Cal then I would consider it. Vegas sounds like a good market. I too will be visiting Dry Fly this winter.

Hello! I am new to ADI, but am soaking up a lot every day. What I have found so far has been very helpful. Has anyone out there had any luck jumping through the hoops to get a license and start production in Montana? I have been interested for some time and have been in beer production for 7 years. Looking to make the step into micro-distilling. Thanks!

Is there anyone out there who is interested in putting together a batch distillery in the Sac/Tahoe region? I have some funding and marketing ideas, but would like a partner. I do have brewing experience from SNBC.

Thanks,

Mark