Slickvegas

Does your state allow the operation of a Distillery similar to a Brew Pub where you can distill in back and have a bar/restaurant/entertainment place in front? I'm not talking about tasting rooms. If so, I would be interested in what your state allows, how it is licensed, do you have to sell through a distributor etc. Nevada currently doesn't allow it for distilleries but does allow it for small breweries. Thanks.

I'm working on getting a zoning change in Las Vegas (Clark County) to zone small distilleries differently from large distilleries. Current Clark County zoning puts ALL distilleries in a Heavy Manufacturing (M-2) zone and we all know that not all distilleries should fall under the same zoning for manufacturing intensity, complexity, production, noise, traffic, emissions etc. I've made the case that not all distilleries are the same similar to breweries, small breweries, micro-breweries and brewpubs which are zoned differently in Clark County. I'm looking to have small distillers zoned in Light Manufacturing or Design Manufacturing and we are looking at making a distinction between large and small based on annual volume produced. I've seen various production numbers proposed for a craft, small or artisan distillery ranging from 20,000 annual proof gallons, to 50,000 annual proof gallons to 250,000 annual proof gallons. H.R. 777 defines small distillers at 100,000 annual proof gallons. What do you think is an appropriate break point in volume to differentiate a large distilling plant that would be zoned Heavy Manufacturing v a small pot still distillery that would be zoned Light or Design Manufacturing? My personal opinion is that 20,000 or 50,000 annual proof gallons is too low to define a small distiller and the 100,000 figure is more plausible. This will make a difference in where I could locate my business and when I would have to relocate my business in the future. I go before the full Board of Clark County Commissioners on Nov 16 so I'm looking for feedback before that time. Much appreciated. Red Shoes Distillery

Hi. My name is Alan Hughes of Red Shoes Distillery. I am currently working on establishing an artisan distillery here in hot, sunny Las Vegas, Nevada. Business plan is complete, the branding is almost complete and I'm currently on the hunt for a location followed by finalization of any required funding and a distribution partner. I am concentrating on vodka, vodka and vodka (OK maybe gin and whiskey a bit later). It's been a challenge in Vegas since there is no current business category for a distillery in Nevada but I've now found it's possible to open a distillery even through I get classified as heavy industrial, meaning there are limits on what I can and can't do until laws get changed in 2011. I see two major challenges to making this work: a) a decent distribution partner who's not out to rape and pillage me, and how to do this on a shoestring budget of costs to offset the horrendous taxes that have to be paid at the fed and state level (which under my business plan seem to be costing me around 27% of my manufacturing price). There sure isn't a level playing field to the craft breweries in trying to operate a small scale operation. I've been reading your blogs with interest but so far there seems to be a lack of lobbying to create a more conducive climate for artisan distillers however I will keep reading. So challenges exist in every facet of life but I need to mitigate as much risk as possible so that you don't see me posting in about a year that I have equipment to sell. Keep up the posts. I find them helpful, enlightening, depressing, humorous and ...well you get the picture. Cheers Alan