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Matthew Rowley

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  1. Mike ~ I'd be surprised (understatement) if the TTB had actually permitted such a thing in the US. Mobile stills are nothing new: the French have had them for generations, though the practice seems almost to be on its last legs. Communal stills were common in colonial North America, though it's true most were stationary. I have come across the occasional still on wheels in my moonshine research, but again: moonshine, not fully legal distilleries with DSPs. It's not a matter of collecting refuse or garbage and making rotgut out of it, though, but of providing a service (distilling) for farmers, grape growers, etc., who do not have the resources or expertise to do so themselves with produce they raise sometimes specifically for distilling. The result is often a few cases of eaux de vie for the growers' personal use. The guy's got his history right and it's a practical way to eke out a living (if not actually to build a retirement portfolio). But to do it in the US? Va te faire foutre!
  2. Jonathan ~ That's great news. A "Meet the Craft Distillers" soirée would dovetail so well with the session. That Friday is going to be a popular day, but let's see if Max and I can't claim a time slot right before the ADI/Tales sponsored event. We can make a whole afternoon of it. Evening, rather. Aw, who am I kidding? Night.
  3. Many of you know Max Watman and me. Max is author of "Chasing the White Dog," I wrote history and novice distiller's guide called "Moonshine," and we've both spoken at ADI conferences. We are, to our marrow, advocates for craft distilling and instigators of good drinks. We're also sharing the podium this summer at Tales of the Cocktail (www.talesofthecocktail.com), the annual gathering of spirits professionals and lay enthusiasts in New Orleans. Our topic? America's new distilleries. You guys, our friends. And we want to invite to you share the limelight with us. Here's what we're thinking. These sessions run about 90 minutes and are a combination of talking, taking audience questions, and sampling products. Sessions start early and go on all day, most drawing several hundred attendees who are bartenders, journalists, bloggers, industry professionals, civilian enthusiasts, and distillers from around the world. Sponsorship for one of these sessions runs $5,500. We know that's too much for almost any small distillery. Big spirits companies can afford to pick up the tab to be the sole sponsor of a session. We thought — in keeping with our love of small distilleries and local artisans — that we could generate enough interest from a consortium of American craft distillers to pony up for the sponsorship. If we could get ten distilleries to contribute $550 each, there's no need to ask for sponsorship from the big guys — which, frankly, could go against the spirit of the session. Ann Tuennerman, founder of Tales, and her staff are already working on finding a single sponsor, so while I don't have a hard deadline, it sounds like once she finds someone, the whole craft distiller consortium/syndicate idea is moot. So if you're interested, sooner is definitely better than later. So, what do you think? It's a chance to get your name and your products in front of an audience thirsty to know more about spirits. Why not show them the best of what America's cooking these days? If you're in — or just interested — email me (moonshinearchives@gmail.com) or, for those of you who know us, call either Max or me. We're going to be talking about you anyway, why not join the conversation? America's New Distilleries (abstract): In the last ten years the number of American distilleries has grown from a few dozen to over 200. All around America, people are re-inventing gin, delivering exciting new brandies, expanding the spectrum of American whiskey. At the same time, the industry is full of paper tigers, false starts, and vanity projects. We’ll separate the wheat from the chaff in the current scene, and look out in to the future. Big spirits companies have started buying the little guys: what will that do? -- Matthew B. Rowley Mobile +1.215.432.4348 skype & twitter: mbrowley http://www.whiskeyforge.com http://www.matthew-rowley.com Max Watman twitter: max_watman http://theoceanofintemperance.blogspot.com http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-watman/#blogger_bio
  4. Chuck and Coop ~ Thanks for the replies. Given the uptick in corn whiskey sales (corn whiskey qua corn whiskey), I can see why HH products come with caveats. I must have received 11 or 12 jars of Georgia Moon over the last few years, so it's been a pleasure to learn what else is out there, either older brands or the spirits coming out of newer artisan distilleries.
  5. Not long ago, I heard from the marketing department of a commercial distiller that it was the only producer of corn whiskey in America. I flat-out knew that wasn't true and had a bottle of Tuthilltown corn whiskey at home to prove it--as well as some white dogs not in circulation. So I am writing a piece talking about American corn whiskeys and whiskeys (such as Tuthilltown's baby bourbon) that use 80-100% corn in the mash but that don't necessarily call their product "corn whiskey." Who among ADI members is producing commercial examples of such spirits? Anyone have plans to but haven't begun production yet? My deadline is Monday, September 21st. Any help would be much appreciated and of course I'll provide links to distillers in the final article. Please answer here or email me directly at moonshinearchives [at] gmail [dot] com Thanks, ~ Matthew
  6. As a business owner, there’s so much you want to say about your company. As a distiller, though, some restrictions apply. I’m Matthew Rowley and I’m a professional business writer; I help business owners and marketing departments around the world tell stories about their products and services every day. Those of you who know me understand that craft distilleries are especially close to my heart. I can help you, too. Running a distillery takes skills you might not have known you possessed. Securing your DSP permit, for example, is hardly the only hurdle. There are business plans, marketing plans, grant applications, and SBA loans to write. A website is necessary, even if it’s only so suppliers and distributors can find you. But your brand should be more than a bare bones website. It should attract and engage journalists, bloggers, state tourism boards, and consumers without alienating regulatory bodies. Your brand as a distillery owner encompasses every point your audiences come in contact with it—from your website to POS materials, newsletters, recipe cards, social media outreach, pitches you give to beverage managers, and even your company’s name. Just like your spirits, the story you tell about yourself needs to be top-shelf. I can help. From global corporations such as Cisco Systems to law enforcement agencies, nonprofits, and small businesses such as yours, I help smart people articulate their stories for the right audiences. Some know me as the author of Moonshine!, a 2007 book on the history and practice of very small-scale distilling. My day job, though, is freelance business writing. I’m good at writing—and I can be good at it for you. Services Writing and Editing: Whether you are totally lost about what to write on your distillery’s website (the TTB and DISCUS won’t let just anything fly), don’t have the time to do it yourself, or simply need help polishing something you’ve already written, I help. In close consultation with you, I’ll create the right messaging and provide support for making sure that your distillery brand says what you want it to say. Ghostwrite articles? Create recipes? Write spec sheets and press releases? You bet I do. Proofreading: I once found nine typographical errors on a specialty spirits bottle that was already in production. Don’t let that happen to you. Before your bank loan officer decides that typos are reason enough to turn down an application, let’s fix them. Anyone can find extra commas or missing periods. That’s easy. When I proofread grant and loan applications, articles, labels, blog posts, annual reports, and other written pieces, I root out logical problems, spreadsheets that don’t add up, unsupported facts, and missing data. Then I’ll work with you on a plan to fix it. For more on writing and editing services for your distillery, go to www.matthew-rowley.com. ~ Matthew rowley [at] matthew-rowley.com Telephone: 619.573.4090 Skype: mbrowley
  7. Dave and Jonathan ~ Thanks for the warm welcome. I'm looking forward to rolling in with a great group of spirits and cocktail writers who are just as excited as I am about the changes afoot in artisan distilling. I've been traveling among and following covert distillers for a long time and it's warmed my heart that more of them are working on business plans these days. As an advocate of well-made liquor and those who make it, I will do what I can, working with distillers, writers, and legislatures to help nudge us to the day when microdistilleries are as well-integrated into American society as craft breweries have become.
  8. Erik ~ Good to see you. I'd say "welcome" but I'm sorta new here myself. ~ rowley
  9. Hey All ~ I’m Matthew Rowley. I’m not a distiller by trade, but I have spent the last twenty years researching American folk distilling and the more recent growth of the craft distillery movement. You can see some of my writing at Rowley's Whiskey Forge or my 2007 book Moonshine. I’m looking forward to attending the brandy distilling conference this year, hooking up with old friends, and meeting some of you in person for the first time. To help get the word out about ADI itself, I am coming to Alameda with a team of drinks writers, all of whom have blogs covering spirits and cocktails. Additionally, all have written for and/or presented at the annual Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. We’ll be covering not just the conference itself, but also taking time to talk with distillers one-on-one as we work to bring stories about ADI members and their distilleries to a broader audience. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be working with Jonathan and Bill on the details of our coverage and some of the particular stories we’d like to pursue. In the meanwhile, please feel free to say hello. ~ rowley
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