Microdistillery
A microdistillery is a small, often
Throughout much of the world, small distilleries operate throughout communities of various sizes, mostly without being given a special description. Due to the extended period of
A recent trend in this segment of the distilling industry is for megadistillers to create their own micro-distillery within their current operation. The
Movement
The modern microdistilling movement grew out of the beer
Some of the newer microdistilleries produce only spirits. Plain and seasonally-flavored
South Africa has experienced relatively big growth in microdistilleries and produces mainly pot-distilled brandies, fruit brandies, fruit-based eau de vie (locally called mampoer), husk-based spirits (like Italian Grappa), and a wide range of liqueurs and flavoured vodkas. Distillique is one of the few training academies worldwide which provides craft and microdistiller training courses on a regular monthly basis for microdistillers.[6] South African microdistillers include the Jorgensen's Distillery,[7] Dalla Cia Distillery,[8] Nyati JJJ Distillery,[9] Schoemanati Distillery, Tanagra Distillery[10] and Wilderer Distillery.[11]
In the 1990s the liquor industry established the notion of super premium spirits offering a higher-quality (and usually more elaborately packaged) product at a higher price. The higher prices created an opportunity for small distilleries to profitably produce niche brands of exotic spirits. The early 21st Century saw the creation of hundreds of such distilleries producing products that were designed and marketed in a way that resembled celebrated restaurants more than alcoholic spirits marketing. The growth of craft distilleries and breweries was partly driven by consumer interest in greater variety, perceived quality, and support for locally owned businesses.[12]
According to the American Distilling Institute, there were 50 microdistilleries operating in the United States in 2005, but by 2012 this number had increased to 250.[13] Numerous competitions and publications were formed to support the burgeoning sub-culture of spirits.[14][15] By 2019, there were over 2,000 microdistilleries in the United States, and the market share of craft spirits was steadily growing.[16]
It is no longer the case that microdistilleries are producing at the premium end of the market only; the established brands are under threat from local microdistilleries at all price points (with the possible exception of the ultra discount supermarket brands such as Sainsbury's and Tesco's "value" brands, which are close to
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the microdistillery industry, as bars and pubs closed, and the economy shrank.[17] This marked a sharp downturn in the previously steady growth of microdistilleries in the United States, in a phenomenon compared to the impact of Prohibition.[18]
Innovation
Microdistillers often experiment with new techniques to produce new flavors.
U.S. regulation
The
South African regulations
In South Africa, microdistilleries are legally defined as distilleries with an annual capacity of fewer than 2 million litres of spirits. These microdistilleries are regulated through provincial laws rather than the national liquor laws (as prescribed in the Liquor Act of South Africa, Act 59 of 2003).
Craft distillery
The American Craft Spirits Association defines a "craft distillery" as a distillery that produces fewer than 750,000 gallons per year; is independently owned and operated (with a greater than 75% equity stake, plus operational control), and is transparent regarding its ingredients, its distilling and bottling location; its distilling and bottling process, and its aging process.[1]
See also
- Distillation
- Microbrewery
- Portland Oregon Distilleries
- Third wave of coffee
Footnotes
- ^ a b Brown, Corie (9 June 2015). "An Insider's Look at the Craft Distillery Industry". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d Saulny, Susan (25 November 2007). "Farmyard Stills Quench a Thirst for Local Spirits". The New York Times.
- ^ Berman, Jillian (7 February 2008). "Popular A2 bar Leopold Bros. to close this summer". Michigan Daily.
- ^ Jo Mathis, Dave Gershman (6 February 2008). "Ann Arbor brewpub to split for Denver". Ann Arbor News. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012.
- ^ "Absinthe: Committee of Swiss Absinthe Producers, most of whom are very small operators". Retrieved 20 July 2009.
- ^ "Distillique at The Finery fair 2016". The Finery Arts Festival. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Dalla Cia distillery".
- ^ "Jungle Juice to make spirited impact in SA". Independent Online. South Africa. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Savour the experience at the Slow Food and Wine Festival". Independent Online. South Africa. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ "Grappa sprung from Cape soil will lift a humble spirit". The Mail & Guardian. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Thompson, Derek (19 January 2018). "Craft Beer Is the Strangest, Happiest Economic Story in America". The Atlantic. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Forester, Jonathan M. (25 November 2007). "Micro-Distillery movement in US kicks into high speed". Slashfood. Retrieved 29 May 2010.
- ^ Owens, Bill. "Déjà vu with Oregon microdistilleries". Archived from the original on 12 October 2007.
- ^ Emen, Jake. "The U.S. Craft Spirits Industry Continues Its Stellar Growth". barrons.com. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ Swartz, Kyle (24 March 2020). "How Can Craft Distilling Survive The Coronavirus?". Beverage Dynamics. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- ^ McGee, Harold (1 December 2009). "A Chill at the Still to Keep Flavors Fresh". The New York Times.
- ^ Purves, Nick (9 January 2010). "Sacred Gin (visit to a vacuum microdistillery)". The London Word.
References
- "Ian's Gin is just the Tonic for Highgate". Hampstead and Highgate Express. 14 May 2009.
- Crain, Liz (4 April 2008). "Botanically infused libations naturally spice up cocktail hour". Portland Tribune.
- Dowd, William (20 February 2008). "The Art Of Artisan Vodka". Falls Church News-Press.
- Rodriguez, Manny (16 August 2016). "First bourbon distilled and barreled in Florida since prohibition". First Coast News.