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Wieland continues their incredible North American acquisition binge. https://www.wieland.com/en/about/news/wieland-acquires-small-tube-products Not good for the marketplace, really leaves only 2 major US producers on key niche/engineered copper tube products. Stuff won't get any cheaper ....

Should have also included the link to submit comments: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=USTR-2019-0003-0616

Good Evening Everyone, I'm no longer in the business having sold out during the start-up phase, but I thought this might interest some members here. The US Trade Commission is considering a 100% ad valorem tariff on many copper, brass, cupro-nickel, and bronze products. Obviously, this will have a tremendous impact on many materials going into the manufacture of distillation equipment. If anyone is interested in submitting a letter, I have attached both a form letter to submit, and the letter from Olin Brass that started the issue. While I don't expect everyone to jump into action, I strongly advise that you contact your equipment manufacturers to make sure they are aware and that they have back-up plans in case lead times and prices explode this fall as a result of any tariff/duty assessments. Feel free to contact me via pm with any questions. Full disclosure: I am currently an employee/owner in another manufacturing business that stands to be negatively affected. I'm not trying to hide any intentions with this post, but I'm thinking distillers probably have a common interest in keeping copper products available to manufacturers. There has not been a lot of publicity in this hearing, which I find a bit concerning. Key dates: • July 24, 2019: Due date for submission of requests to appear at the public hearing and summary of testimony. • August 5, 2019: Due date for submission of written comments. • August 5, 2019: The Section 301 Committee will convene a public hearing in the Main Hearing Room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington DC 20436 beginning at 9:30 a.m. • August 12, 2019: Due date for submission of post-hearing rebuttal comments. Olin Letter Requesting Additional Tariffs.pdf COMMENT TEMPLATE Section 301 Written Comments from Distillers.docx

I would imagine steel bands deteriorate pretty quickly when exposed to the air just a few feet above an ocean of saltwater.

What stainless alloy? I'm assuming 304 or 304L.

I have used it buying commercial GNS from the liquor store (everclear) for a variety of exepriements. I also have a log of each experiment with what I was trying to study or create, and in case of creation, I have at least 50 mL saved just to prove I did it.

I realize there are probably no fewer than 50 variables involved, but in the opinion of those who have gone through it, does the below pass a sniff test? A business in startup with $100k invested from the founders trying to raise an additional $700k by offering 40% of the equity. We would essentially be trying to fund 87.5% of the costs with 40% of the ownership being offered to a series of outside investors. I'm being told this is a "typical" range, but I'm wondering if anyone has any evidence to support or refute this. It seems a little optimistic to me.

For anyone that might be making the same mistake I was, consult Chapter 7 about additions rather than chapter 4 about class/type. Thanks Jedd & LT for putting me on the path.

Forgive my ignorance, but where are you seeing the 2.5% rule? I don't see it in the TTB's "Class & Type" designations.

Good article, thanks for posting.

Welcome to the boards. I'm not a vodka man myself, but there are plenty here that make a high quality clear drink.

Are pictures available?

Not to steer the topic of course, but were you able to sample with small qtys of HFCS? I haven't seen it in less than ~250 gallon totes.

If you ever get accused of marketing to those underage, you will need to show that you follow all "generally accepted" practices to prevent the accusers from getting a point, even if it's public opinion. You can argue "generally accepted" forever, but if you fail to have an age-gate on your website, you're giving them ammunition. I'm not going to argue the idea that it's ineffective, but to me it's a no-brainer to follow.

The bigger advancement might be in a few months, when they review the definition of "accredited investor". It may disappear, or be refined to include more of the population.

It doesn't affect my plans, but I like the move as a matter of principle.

3 main reasons: First, nickel prices, which make up about 8-9% of 304 stainless are dropping fast. This is a traded marketplace, although only in Europe, but the surcharges the mills charge are linked to the London Metals Exchange. Second, natural gas prices are low due to high domestic supply, which is another component of the mill surcharges. Third, the commodity stainless market has long been dominated by a mill in Kentucky, North American Stainless. There are other mills, but since NAS is the price leader they have controlled pricing for commodity grades, leaving more specialized orders to players like AK or Allegheny. Thyssen Krupp built a mill in the South built to compete with NAS on the 400 series (430, 409, etc) that aren't important alloys to food service or people like us. However, since a recent sale to Outokompu, that mill has jumped into 300 series with both feet, giving NAS competition on price they haven't felt before. Reasons 1 and 2 are subject to reversal from the markets, and could change quickly and dramiatically in either direction. Reason 3 is a long-term force that should play in the favor of fabricators.

Just a note because I follow this market for my day job, prices Stainless 304 alloy sheet and plate have fallen to their 2009 Great Recession lows. For distillers, now might be a good time to dust off some plans for larger equipment that may have been shelved. For our equipment manufacturer friends, now may be a good time to put some pressure on the material suppliers. Just my $.02.

Welcome. Sale of single servings would be great for the startup distillery.

For the 316 v 304 debate, if you go 304, try to make sure it is complaint to ASTM A666 or similar. That ensures the nickel content is sufficient.

Check out the comment sections from Chuck's blog. I am fearful of a weakening division. http://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-group-american-craft-distillers.html

The large distilleries used to have homes built on their property in which the master distiller would live, thus the intent is seperate buildings, not seperate parcels. However, given the lack of consistancy of the TTB, YMMV.

Not really what the landlord was after, but I am insisting on an "escape clause" if we fail to get a licesnse due to the facility not meeting a local, state, or federal regulation. Eg, if such an issue comes up, the landlord has the option to fix or let us out, with a reduced rent in the meantime. I had an agreement to this conceptually, but the negotiation fell apart for other reasons. You don't want to be in a building that a fire inspector or ttb agent finds unacceptable, and then be unable to leave.

This is a little old, but a couple of years ago the Barton Distillery in Bardstown, KY was selling used for $90 FOB their dock. That's probably a reasonable placeholder for your plan. I've seen new going for $120 - $165 FOB Cooperage.

Like any job interview, your answer needs to be factual and explain to them why you are qualified to operate a distillery. An answer that starts with "No, but I have ..." can be a successful answer.