et1883

Welcome any comments, and thanks in advance re: use of Bottlemate 910, or 910-2 (front, back) label applying machinery, seen here: http://labelmateusa.com/product-category/label-applicators/900p/

Perfect reading for the weekend! Thanks again!

Thanks, Thatch!

Must admit some of this seems less than clear, and so I welcome comments on what TTB (at their booth) at ADI in Portland told us -- that common plastic IBC totes were approved for bulk storage, which of course is not what Thatch has quoted from NFPA 30 above, or what Paul from Affordable (also above) has said. They (TTB) also said that the MAQ was 240 gallons per zone (with up to 4 zones/facility - each sprinklered and vented), though I have heard lower volumes quoted also. Does NFPA 9.4.1 refer to storage or transportation? Thanks in advance,

Is this available?

Thanks, Sudzie, we're scheduled to have someone in next week to scope it out with a camera to see what's up. Good news about the 4" sizing! We'll have a look at the vent stack too - it's a 20 year old building, so there could certainly be something in the stack!

Interested in what size drainage pipes you all have for disposal of waste water, cooling water, etc. Our drains are slow and we're wondering if we need to repipe to the street to have faster flow rate. Welcome ideas.

Interested to learn what rates you all are seeing for 3rd party, off site, bonded, climate controlled storage for barrels and/or pallets of barrels which are aging. Is on site security provided? With thanks in advance,

Linie is a gold standard of course, but I refer you to the flavor profiles of the Old Ballard Bridge Liquor in Seattle for some ideas besides caraway forward. Best of luck!

what qualifies as non-beverage? angostura or peychaud at the grocery store or state-liquor-store is definitely for use with spirits, but the 'bitters' for "treating" liver and kidney ailments is not a beverage use. I see above (and quoting below) that "bitters.... fit for beverage purpose....must be manufactured on the bonded premises of a DSP..." So, does a version of angostura count as non-beverage since it is not intended to be medicinal, or is it considered beverage use? (b)Exception for beverage products. Products identified in part 17 of this chapter as being fit for beverage use are alcoholic beverages. Bitters, patent medicines, and similar alcoholic preparations that are fit for beverage purposes, although held out as having certain medicinal properties, are also alcoholic beverages. These products are subject to the provisions of this part and must be manufactured on the bonded premises of a distilled spirits plant. Thanks in advance,

Thanks, MGL!

We are looking at using Evoqua unit for RO water to cut high proof spirits to bottling strength. If we overshoot below our intended proof, what are we permitted to use to bring the ABV back up to where it should be? I've looked unsuccessfully for a reference, so if it's obvious, apologies in advance but I haven't seen it. Recommendations and ideas welcome.

Thanks, Falling Rock! I had composed something to that effect and was able to improve the text using your thoughts and ideas! Thanks so much for the assist!

We are looking at a 3000 sq ft site. the local sewer district director has "concerns the operation may exceed ... discharge limits with the Water & Wastewater District . Please provide us with a report on the planned Total Flows, BOD’s and TSS’s for your operation. " (that's biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids...) We are planning on near-zero waste (recycled spent grains, recirculated/re-used cooling water, no solids down the drain, heads/tails picked up as needed by qualified recycling group). Have any of you heard of this? Recommendations on replies? Estimates? Thanks in advance for thoughts and advice.

Congrats, Van! We've looked at over 30+ sites, most not "as described" by realtors to put it diplomatically, some located next to unsuitable neighbors, and one which went up $100k overnight when the seller found he might actually have a buyer. Add one which boasted 4000 sq ft, but turned out to be 2000 sq ft with a raised mezzanine which blocked all the bay doors. One had vermin, both small and large. Not easy! We have yet one more site in mind we're looking at, and huge THANKS to you and others in sharing experiences in due diligence and approaches to approvals, lease/buy and timing. Best of luck with your licensing!

Thank you again, dhdunbar, I'm awaiting a comment from the FTZ people directly to see if there is a simple solution. The option above (remove from customs (or remove from FTZ?) to bonded DSP) without paying tax until a triggering event occurs (like moving it to a domestic US location for sale) seems to make sense, but "it's government," so what makes sense may not be correct or legal! :-) I'll post what I hear from FTZ.

explosions will result from sufficient concentration of ethanol vapor, so air circulation is important to reduce concentration; consider monitors to detect ethanol concentration. Here is a 2012 discussion on monitors. .

distillers seeking investors in the US will want to pay attention to SEC rules and EDGAR - one link here below for exemptions on Form D to allow various types of investors. In some cases, you disclose financials, in other cases not. as with most government rules, there are penalties for non-compliance, and yes, even if making mistakes and not being informed. https://www.sec.gov/info/smallbus/cfformd.htm As the B-school joke goes, your smallest investors will take the largest amount of your time. experienced and accredited investors know the rules and will leave you alone. Best is finding accredited investors with industry knowledge and management advisory input to help. Keeping them all informed is helpful in any case, and they'll be your advocates about "their distillery." On the British Columbia side, permits are now 4-6 months waiting time. No new "liquor primary" licenses (in case anyone wanted to think about just selling craft spirits, and not being a mfg) until 2022. The craft advantage of exemption from provincial excise tax is a superior opportunity; disadvantage is that it tapers off as you production increases. And not making rum, that's a downside too - fewer pirate themed products :-) If your BC firm is properly configured to attract investors, they can benefit from significant tax deduction in the year they make the investment. That does not exist in the USA. What does exist for US investors is on the backside of an investment, and US-based distillers seeking investors might want to read up on 1244 stock status in case there is a need. (http://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/section-1244-stock.asp). In all cases, YMMV, and none of the above is advice or necessarily complete, just observations obtained in our process. Defer to the reader which parts are relevant for your experience and needs. Cheers!

Interested in forum members' experience from "concept" to "actual launch" with spirits coming out of the still? Thoughts on challenges finding a distillery space that affected the time line? Thanks in advance!

Have searched without success for discussions re experience with foreign trade zone/customs bonded warehouse - we have some plans for importing from several countries, and re-export to selected other markets without the products touching the US markets. Welcome any comments on experience with US CBP, local governments, etc.

I'd rather drink good whiskey from a provider who outsourced their distillation than bad whiskey from a grain-to-glass distiller who doesn't sufficiently cut heads/tails and produces bad spirits. At the end of the day, it's what it tastes like and customer satisfaction. I've enjoyed the public discussions (food fight?) of who's really a distiller, and my collection has both ends of the spectrum in production, and both ends of the spectrum in terms of taste. There is not necessarily a direct or causal relationship. And not pointing fingers at any one person or group. I've been surprised by some whiskies on both sides of the discussion. I'd welcome a broader description from Chris about his specific marketing options and unique selling point. Also happy to evaluate free samples provided by any of you all :-) or to discuss finer issues of aging, blending, marketing, truth in advertising, sizzle-vs-steak, etc. Cheers!

Congrats, Tony, on TTB permit - would love to hear how your plans and activities are moving along!

Super ideas and input, thanks!

we're considering setting up in an unused theatre, about 100 years old, brick exterior, nice stage area with high ceiling above stage where our stills will sit - wondering if others have considered a theatre as a location, and if so, what issues did you face or successfully over come with re: fire suppression, floor drains, etc. Best regards to all, Ernie.