drycreek

Yes to all.

I had a good time after all it's California hard not to have a good time. We put a vodka in and got a bronze, first time out I was glad to to get positive feedback. After that happened then the distributors began to approach. There were a lot of companies it seemed trying to get attention to break into the California market. Deep Eddy is pretty much an unknown on the West Coast and was trying to make a presence whereas Tito's was carried everywhere and seemed to be the best selling call at the moment according the bartenders I spoke with.

Did anyone go to the San Diego Spirits Festival and competition besides myself? How does that fair with the others or is it mainly for people trying to get into the California market?

We're about 10 miles down the road from you - still trying to get a run going -

Wouldn't it make more sense to sell now and make later? You can market your product and create a brand while your waiting on your DSP. I have no idea what I'm doing and have yet to make a batch of alcohol even after receiving my DSP. I've spent the last year talking to bartenders, retailers and the general public asking what they like to pour, what sales and feedback on my bottle and label design. The next step has been crunching the numbers determining market price points lining up vendors getting a true idea for COGS and establishing margins. The final step has been interviewing wholesalers and being sent to the buyers for retail chains for feedback on the branding and design of which I've received feedback on what the retailer projected they could sale the product and starting commitments. All of this has been done with the understanding the product has yet to be made. So far no one has asked or cared how the product is made, quality, taste or experience. You have time work on on what you can make your product for and what you can sale it to the wholesaler. At the end of the day it's about price, marketing, creating a demand and how your going to meet that demand. New venture for me and maybe i'm doing it backward but at the end of the day it's all about making the retailer money.

I've got some nova twist samples. I like them but the cost was roughly .25 versus .04 on the standard screwtop. If I could get colored nova twist for .10 I would probably go that route. Wax looks like .30.

I'm using a Vitro Zeus bottle with a screw cap. Got the cheap look regarding the black plastic screw cap from a wholesaler. Trying to keep a craft feel, hit the premium market and keep costs down. Any thoughts or suggestions that would make the bottle stand out a bit more and conceal the screw cap closure. Thanks,

Just bought a primera AP362 arrives today.

Anyone have any input regarding inspections and compliance regarding the building and process from the aforementioned agencies? I'm completing my build out, divider walls, office and restroom. My distillery is an open steel building, County property, no zoning, fire codes, permitting or any other regulations besides general state and federal. Well and septic supplied. Any number of required/type fire extinguishers, air monitors addition security and marking besides locks and signage. Just want to make sure I'm in compliance before i get to far down the road.

Leslie it's pretty clear you understood my comments about as well as your attempt at this business. If your investors read your comments they're going to scratch their heads at your lack of comprehension. My comments were satirical in nature based on Americas digression into our general influences of what passes for pop culture in present day.

I still don't have a business plan or an idea for one. Visit distilleries, take a course, visit the liquor stores observe products and ask questions, what sells and what doesn't. Run your numbers for your costs of goods sold and projected margins. Dig into vendor pricing and keep working on those margins. Extensive market research and a sales plan. Woo Pig Sooie!

So your not really doing anything......if you don't have the funds to start a distillery and learn then you won't have the capital to buy at a volume to make a profitable margin. You can start a distillery for 50K and grow. Unless your a rapper or rockstar i can't see making the numbers work unless your getting a wholesalers license and selling direct to retail. Anything else, that strong smell in the air is failure.

Did TABC take your application? I tried to apply and they wouldn't accept the application until after the DSP approval. By the time my DSP was approved we fell under the new TABC laws which put us out until November now.

Changed a few things regarding the permitting with the TABC, turns out I'm the first guy to file after the new law went in effect. Instead of a two week process, a sign must be posted giving notice of onsite alcohol sales for 60 days, Also notification letters must be sent to all property owners within I believe 300ft of the property line, (not dwelling). Additionally all distillers have to post a $7,500.00 bond with I believe the Texas comptrollers office to cover the onsite sales. I received my bond but never a notice for which address to send the bond. This is all new in Texas. Additionally, all onsite sales to the best of my understanding have to be commemorative bottles that are signed and numbered. A individual may buy up to two 750ml bottles per 30 day period. I'll know the full details once I have my TABC interview in the next few weeks.

Tax dollars at work. I've been waiting about 30 days for a logon ID for COLA online. Sent the hard copy paper work on Friday. So much for getting approval this year thanks to the shut down. The work stops while the paper work piles up.

20019

Dry Creek Distillery, Houston business based with the distillery in Anderson, TX, (1:20 hour from downtown Houston). The DSP was approved today on the 23rd of August. DCD will be using a Still Dragon an 8 plate, 8 inch still with a 55 gallon boiler. Hopefully on the shelves in the Houston area around November. Dry Creek Hand Crafted Spirits Made in Texas

Dry Creek Distillery, Houston business based with the distillery in Anderson, TX, (1:20 hour from downtown Houston). The DSP was approved today on the 23rd of August. DCD will be using a Still Dragon an 8 plate, 8 inch still with a 55 gallon boiler. Hopefully on the shelves in the Houston area around November.

Applied 5/11/2013 - Approved 8/23/2013 Roughly 102 Days

Filed 5/11/2013 moved to specialist 6/28/2013, waiting ............