stevenstone

Consider a complete disruption in retailing. Add to that a complete disruption in the distribution system. Then, go ahead and add a 10% tax on distribution and a 17% tax on retailers on top of the EXISTING highest taxes in the country (20.5% sales tax + $3.77/Liter). As you would guess, the initial implementation was pretty tough to get through. Fast forward to today and business has started to get better, but it's still not as good as before. So, yes, you should definitely learn from WA mistakes. We have a mess on our hands here. Don't get me wrong, privatization could be a good thing for OR. It all depends on how the laws are written. One of the main things you'll need to have people understand is that the state of OR will lose money unless taxes are raised. Right now, the state gets to keep the profit and the taxes. When privatized, they would only get to keep the taxes. The profits would obviously go to private business owners. I can go on and on about this. Give me a call if you have any questions. Cheers, Steven Founder / Head Distiller Sound Spirits Distiller 206-651-5166

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/06/distilling-deceit/309308/

See below for more info on the Washington Distillers Guild Spirits Festival - Proof to be held on June 15th in Seattle. If you'd like to joing us, we currently have 10 spaces left for out of state distilleries. More may free up, so we'll also keep a waiting list if there is more interest than available tables. The Washington Distillers Guild invites you to present your distilled spirits at “PROOF - The Washington Distillers Festival”--the official WA guild-sponsored tasting event on June 15, 2013. The event will take place in two sessions at the stunning Urban Enoteca in Seattle’s SoDo district. * Who Will Be There? We have around 47 spaces to fill on a first-come-first-serve basis (37 Washington Distilleries have already signed up). The remaining spots will go fast, so if you're interested please sign up here by May 30, 2013. To be eligible to attend, all distilleries must be associate members in good standing of the WA Distillers Guild (state law requirement). Out of state distillers will be charged only the special event dues assessment of $200, collected to help pay for this event. As added incentive, the event will include a liquor store to sell your products. Please let us know you plan to attend by registering at https://varsitycommunications.wufoo.com/forms/proof-washington-registration/ by May 30, 2013. *Event details: • A beautifully appointed space that will wow the public and truly showcase your products. • A staffed store where you can sell your bottles. • Four cocktail bars featuring a cocktail you submit, one per distillery. (Details to follow to those registered.) • One table per distillery to display your bottles, plus room for banners behind your table. • Free parking for 150 cars. This will be one of the biggest and best showing of craft spirits this year. To participate, all we need is your special assessment guild dues of $200 by May 30th, then show up and pour samples on June 15! Once you’ve signed up, we’ll send you more details of the event.

Nope, I had to figure it out on my own. Each city will be different. You'll want to work with your city permit office to make sure you're satisfying their requirements. Go down and talk to them early on.

Hi Tom, Yes, it looks like you have it right. See below for a graphic that the WA Dept. of Revenue posted. http://dor.wa.gov/Do...gram1262012.pdf Good luck with your venture, Steven

Thanks Ishan, will do.

Looks like the Saver Kendo to me.

As of this month, Washington has 69 licensed distilleries and 20 more pending. Around 63 of those are operating under the craft license. Steven Stone President Washington Distillers Guild & Founder / Head Distiller Sound Spirits

Chris, The $13.50 per proof gallon equates to $2.14 for a 750ml bottle at 80 proof. That's better than $4, but still hard to come by at the end of the day! Steven Sound Spirits

Thanks John. Coop, for my spirits still, I've been using packed columns of various designs. I'm looking to expand now, but have ceiling height restrictions. So, I'm weighing all of the options. Steven Founder / Head Distiller Sound Spirits

I'm curious, how do two side by side columns work on a vodka/hybrid still? On a single column that is situated to the side of the kettle, you can have gravity feed the reflux back in to the kettle. If you have two columns, the first one can again drain back in to the kettle. But, what about the second column? Would you use a pump to get it's reflux back to the top of the first?

I think that's a great idea. You're in a tough position where your equipment is set at great prices compared to the competition, but you have no track record. Once you prove what your stills can do, your sales will probably take off.

Could it be they're having difficulties after the sale? http://blogs.westword.com/cafesociety/2011/09/stranahans_bartenders.php

Ben, I can help you with this. Come by or give me a call. Steven Sound Spirits

I have some extras too.

I was told to do so when I received my DSP. http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/RegistrationofFoodFacilities/default.htm

Barley - 2-row Metcalfe

Looks like Belvedere is trying to roll out a craft vodka. http://www.drinkspirits.com/vodka/belvedere-intense-unfiltered-80-vodka/ My Ebb + Flow is a steal at $31 compared to their $50.

For proofing, I'm always using Tables 1, 5 and 6. It would be great to have these as a lookup App on android (I'm sure an argument could be made to do all of the tables). Scanning with OCR might take some of the labor out of it. It's too bad the pdf's are not of higher a quality. Even just having Table 1 available would be awesome. http://www.ttb.gov/foia/Gauging_Manual_Tables/Table_1.pdf (enter proof and temp, get back proof at 60F) http://www.ttb.gov/foia/Gauging_Manual_Tables/Table_5.pdf (enter proof at 60F, get back weight of wine and proof gallon) http://www.ttb.gov/foia/Gauging_Manual_Tables/Table_6.pdf (enter proof at 60F, get back volumes of alcohol and water)

Prepare a letterhead request per 27 CFR 19.634 to reuse the bottles and mail it to: TTB Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division 1310 G Street, NW, 4th Floor Washington, DC 20220

I got an email back this morning from the TTB. It is legal; one just has to file the paperwork to the labeling division. http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=79fc69ea0bebabb9a9f3fd845c415b94&rgn=div8&view=text&node=27:1.0.1.1.15.20.173.4&idno=27

I'll put a call in to my favorite agent and see if he can guide me to someone in the know.

I've heard that it's illegal to reuse bottles. The only info I've found so far is posted below. Does anyone know if it is illegal to refill bottles that are returned to your distillery? Refilling, Reusing and Disposing of Liquor Bottles 6. Refilling, Reusing and Disposing of Liquor Bottles (Contents) a. Refilling or reusing liquor bottles - Any retail dealer, or agent or employee of such dealer, who refills any liquor bottle with distilled spirits, or who reuses any liquor bottle by adding distilled spirits or any substance (including water) to the original contents is subject to a fine of not more than $1000 or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both. b. Disposition of liquor bottle - The possession of used liquor bottles by any person other than the one who emptied the contents thereof is prohibited, except that this prohibition shall not: (1) prevent the owner or occupant of any premises on which such bottles have been lawfully emptied from assembling the same on such premises (i) for delivery to a bottler or importer on specific request for such bottler or importer; (ii) for destruction either on the premises on which the bottles are emptied or elsewhere, including disposition for purposes which will result in the bottles being rendered unusable as bottles; or (iii) in the case of unusual or distinctive bottles, for disposition as collectors' items or for other purposes not involving the packaging of any products for sale; (2) prevent any person from possessing, offering for sale, or selling such unusual or distinctive bottles for purposes not involving the packaging of any product for sale; or (3) prevent any person from assembling used liquor bottles for the purpose of recycling or reclaiming the glass or other approved liquor bottle material. Any person possessing liquor bottles in violation of law or regulations is subject to a fine of not more that $1000, imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both.

Thanks for all of the replies. I finally found a reference to the original mfg (Schweizer) and called the company that bought them out. This tank that I found was made in 1955 (an old girl!). The mfg said that it was probably an Acme thread.

I'm trying to find some fittings for a valve on an old milk tank. I can't seem to find what standard they are. Does anyone recognize the standard from this photo? It's a coarse pitch and the threads are flat. Regards, Steven Sound Spirits