HBD

Spirits can be shipped to another Wholesale license holder or another distillery with a bonded warehouse. Perhaps you could contact a distributor in the State to which you will ship and ask them to receive it. The Three Tier System is not directly involved, except that generally goods shipped into a State must go to a licensed recipient. In Control States that means the State Liquor Authority (highly unlikely they will assist).

But the more salient is the question of entering competitions. The ongoing debate, if it is worth it. As the other post commented, often the prize is taken by something not worthy (a relative term). As a veteran of "competitions" in general and as card carrying Judge of International competitions for years I can tell you honestly the winners are the best at that competition, on that day, decided by those particular Judges (all with their own prejudices) and are not a reflection of which product was "best" or "better", these are subjective decisions; and this goes for all competitions not just spirits comps.

That said, if you want to introduce product and sell it on a broad scale competitions are important, because the general consumer is impressed by awards, the more prestigious the better (though truth be told, a competition is generally only as "prestigious" as it's hyped to be, money spent = prestige, not necessarily the best barometer as we all know.) So from a marketing point of view a gold or silver medal offers a small distiller bragging rights, especially if the competition includes some big brands; it is a qualifier the general public uses to gauge the product and make decisions. Some competitions are better than others, some are totally local and useful only for local and regional product lines, establishing credibility at home is the number one priority for a new brand so this is helpful. European competitions are nice to do but generally useless and often group American products into inappropriate categories (we're working to change that); and if you're going to distribute product overseas these are important. But beware of entering the lions den with whisky/whiskey; the EU is totally dominated by Scotch. In fact for the new distiller making whiskey in the US, if it isn't in wood for at least three years you can't call it "whisky" or "whiskey" in the EU. Try marketing "aged grain spirits" against "Highland Single Malt Scotch" and you'll appreciate the problem of not calling your product American Bourbon Whiskey, or Single Malt Whiskey. Who knows what to expect from "aged grain spirits"; but "whiskey" everyone knows what that is.

Competitions are a luxury for the small producer till they are well enough established so the results will count, measurable in increased sales in important markets. For the distillers and the staff they are a fun way to keep enthusiasm up, nothing like a certificate or a medal hanging on a bottle in the distillery to remind the staff why we all work so hard. We just took a couple of gold and silver medals at a recent competition that really went a long way to recharge everyone, and that was for our package, not our whiskey. We are just beginning to enter whiskey competitions and very carefully.

I'm not suggesting competitions are good or bad, they are both. Timing and choice of the competition you enter are the critical factors....oh yeah, and the cost per entry, don't forget that.

Thank you Ralph. Neato information for the newer start-ups.

Thanks Scott,for the info.

Maybe some of these guys would like a booth at ADI.

Tee's, hats, glassware drive me crazy.

We recently just got "Bar" Coasters. two sided. About .10 each, online,volume can change that. We used PrintGlobe, there are many companies. Plant logo one side, product on the other. As you can imagine we cannot give them away to restaurants fast enough. We hope they are used effeciently. We want people to walk off with them for home use.

We also use them as giveaways at store tastings. For a dime a coaster, autographed right there by the Distiller, helps increase impulse sales.

How about ADI/we create a "Buzz" or checklist on collecting distillers Autographed Coasters collection. Similar to the U.S. state quarters, baseball cards. It sounds a bit "Jr. High" but people like'em.

I would like to start now (see how it is infectious) I'll exchange signed coasters (2) with you and build a collection for conversational viewing during tours at our shop. We are big on promoting all craft distilleries on our tours. Gloucester is a destination and we get many people from around North America and the world. This is a "what is good for one is good for all" item.

Cheers, Bob

Bob,

That's a good idea. I've been thinking about doing coasters for a while now, but I haven't broken into the bar/restaurant scene yet. Around here, there's not enough local support for the micro scene, especially for a Asian rice based product no one has ever heard about. Send me a few of your autographed coasters.

Rinna

Although I don't update it as much as some of you, here is ours.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hawj-Brothers-Distillery/87001184978?ref=ts

I added all of you. And yes, as Brad said, I'm quite jealous of the fan count.

Rinna

Hi, Vokurka!

I have a winning design for you. It is 580 gallons in volume, and is all-electric. It is agitated with compressed air. It is a combination mash cooker / lauter tun / fermenter, and can be employed in such a way if the user wants to ferment on the grains. It draws 150 amps for rapid heat-up (2 hours) and then only 50 amps during your cooking cycle. It has three removable panels in the false bottom, and is easy to clean. It is all-stainless steel, and can be moved with a pallet jack. Please contact Dynamic Alambic Smiths & Artisans for a formal quote!

All the best,

I'm interested in that too. But I'm actually bringing it to a boil/cook and not mashing. Will it do that? Couldn't find the Dynamic Alambic site.

Rinna

I've been dumping the spent grains into 55 gal barrels. I leave it outside as I don't have to worry about freezing. If I don't already have someone picking it up, CRAIGSLIST is awesome. Post it up, you'll get about twenty hits for the grain every time.

Bill told me about Mondo Liquor dot com once. I've seen logos here and there. I had trouble going to the actual site, I think it's 'This Next' now.

Does anyone have the contact info for a Mondo Liquor rep? Hoping to get online as I've received a few requests.

Rinna

I paid paid betweet $300 and $400 for my bond.

Really, who are you getting your bonds through. We are using Balcos, not paying that low a year, but they have gone above and beyond when we needed them.

Wish I would've known about this sooner. Can we add an upcoming events section to this forum specifically for stuff like this?

Rinna

Bill are you reading this?

Are you repitching your yeast?

"The Peppers" is normally a malady you find in continuous distillation for vodka. I'd have to check some very old notes, but as I recall, you may be dealing with fermentation problems. I'll try and get back to you later tonight if I can find the info. I need.

Every batch is done with a new batch of yeast. Started distilling the same tank after a full day of just doing water. The jalapeno went away yesterday. I'm thinking it was the blown heating elements but still not sure. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Wish I would've known about this sooner. Can we add an upcoming events section to this forum specifically for stuff like this?

Rinna

Does your CIP system and/or cleaning regimen clean out the condenser?

No it doesn't, but I take off the condenser and flush it with Sterox, rinse then soak in citric acid and rinse again.

What are you distilling?...all of the ingredients please...it may be in the details.

We are distilling Baijiu and Asian spirit. Ingredients are sweet rice, our own yeast, amylase and water. I wouldn't think it would be the ingredients, because nothing in the process has changed since development through our third batch.

I'm having a problem. I'm working on my fourth batch. Been doing everything from mashing, fermenting & distilling the same. Developmemt, first, second and the beginning of the third batch was all good. The tail end of my third batch tasted like putting ten jalapeno's in your mouth.

I cleaned out the still prior to my fourth batch. When I did so, I found that four heating elements (electric still) had burst. I figured that must be the cause of the jalapeno spirits. I replaced all of the heating elements, cleaned the still out using Sterox, water rinse, soaked it in citric acid, water rinse. Ran the still with water.

Started my fourth batch today and still have jalapeno liquor. This is horrible. Don't know what else to do but tear apart the still and scrub. Any advise and have any of you ran into this before?

Any professional photographer worth their salt would probably do. You're a little far, but I used a guy from Marcomm Media (CA). Just pitch the idea of what you want to some local pro photographers.

When I do organic labels, who do I send the label to to certify it? Who do you guys use?

This is what I got from TTB:

"As of 05/23/2005, this application must be accompanied by a USDA-accredited certifying agent’s (ACA) approval of the organic alcohol beverage labels prior to submission to TTB. The ACA Preview must show actual images of the labels along with a stamp or signature of the ACA. Documentation showing the certifying agent's review and approval must accompany EVERY request for label approval submitted to TTB. For Wine 27 CFR §4.101 applies. For D/S 27 CFR 5.71 applies"

Thanks. Much appreciated.

I'm in California. There is a local Beer and Wine Fest that's coming up. ABC said that I am NOT allowed to taste at the event because it is open to the public. You must have a ticket to get in, but there is only 1000 tickets.

Maybe I'm not understanding this or there's a loophole somewhere, wasn't the recent Brandy Conference open to the public. Advice anyone?

For me, it lasted about 20 minutes. They basically went over the questions on the app, asked about production, how many proof gallons expected to be warehoused or in transit... can't recall anything else though I'm sure there were other things. Don't be nervous, it shouldn't be hard.

Google search "heat shrink capsules" or if you have the ADI Directory, look under packaging. Is that what you were asking for?

Well, let's see if I can remember our time lines without my docs in front of me.

We started pondering the idea of a distillery in early 2007, did a lot of serious research. I had past distilling knowledge learned from my parents (since I was about 3 feet tall) and everything I learned after that made a lot of sense from what the elders had been teaching me. I drew up a business plan and thought it looked good. Then it became an ongoing evolving business plan and we've learned to make it fit and evolve with any situation (I think? We'll see). We incorporated in Feb 2008 and started ordering equipment until both my brother and my garage were full.

In between, we met with a lot of city people who had no idea of what to make of me. But as I had come off as knowledgeable in their eyes, they ran with it and didn't give me much grief. We found our building and were suppose to move in May 2008. Construction delays caused the move in to get pushed back until Sept 2008. We moved our equipment in and installed what needed to be installed. Sent in the Fed App in Oct 2008 and due to minor errors on the app, a Zip Code error on the bond and I believe the holidays, we didn't get our Fed App approved until after Christmas. Our state app took close to three months because our local ABC did not have any experience with a Distiller plus they made me drop one of my partners.

Then came developing, formulas and COLA's. Add two months or so. Awaiting final shipments of packaging. Add a month. Total time is about two years from idea to operation. Currently dealing with distributors who I've been planting the seed with the whole way. Most of which, had forgotten about me. So much for planting the seed.

Good luck.

I'm having trouble finding smaller distributors to work with. The large distributors seem pushy and want more from me than I'm willing to part with. Does anyone know a few small distributors in Northern California?

Thanks to all. I suspect that if nothing drastic happens now, that something will come up at the end of my lease in 4 years. BTW, I never got any letters or anything regarding counsel meetings. I did, however, get the management people dropping in to nonchalantly bs and mention the meeting. That was two days ago, while I was super busy, and I didn't remember they were going to talk about the zoning change until it was too late.

Thanks again for your comments. I'm not sure anything will happen, and if anything does, I'm sure they'll be responsible to pay for my moving and setup expenses.

My property management company is planning to change my zoning from a light industrial zone to a commercial/mixed use zone. I know that I'm only suppose to be in a light industrial zone. Their rep told me that it wouldn't affect me and that I would be grandfathered in.

I'm not a real estate guy and don't have a real estate lawyer. Plus I don't really trust the management people. Is this going to affect me? If so how? Feds, State or locally. Please reply.

I'm transitioning to 500 gallons fermenters. How many pounds of grains (rice) should I use?

The reason I ask... I had a hard time adjusting from fermenting in 55 gallons barrels and transitioning to 160 gallon tanks. The numbers didn't seem as easy as multiplying by two or three. Any advise would greatly be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Rinna

Just wondering if there is anyone selling decanter style bottles with a cork finish by the pallet. We are hoping to buy 1-3 pallets at a time every month or so, or if we can get a truckload and have them warehoused with monthly orders and be billed as we use could also be an option. I have tried the usual suspects listed on the forum and all seem to have container quantiy requirements. Has anyone got the answer? I really can't tie up 60-90 grand in bottles.

We looked at the Couronne Company in Texas for a while. We ended up not using them, but they seem to have good customer service and you can buy any quantity glass, even by the case.

Also try Universal Specialties Inc. They're a one stop shop and can work out pallet orders.

Good luck.