American Distilling Institute
| Formation | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Bill Owens |
| Type | California LLC |
| Purpose | Education, conference, competition |
| Headquarters | Hayward, CA |
| Location |
|
| Services | Membership, education, conference, spirits competition |
| Fields | Beverage Alcohol |
Official language | English |
President | Erik Owens |
Staff | 5 |
| Website | distilling |
The American Distilling Institute (ADI), is an professional association for the craft / micro distillery industry in the United States representing the over 2600 licensed craft distilleries operating in the United States.[1]
History[edit]
The American Distilling Institute was the United States' first association for the craft distillery industry since prohibition.[2] It was founded in 2003 when there were only ~25 craft distilleries as state regulations in the United States eased and began to allow small distilleries to operate again. Prior to prohibition there were over 2000 local distilleries.[3] However, after prohibition was lifted, careful management of government regulation (the three tier system) by the largest distilleries and wholesalers to minimize competition blocked most distilleries from reopening.[4]
Membership[edit]
ADI's membership comprises mainly small to mid-sized distilleries and their employees.
Annual conference[edit]
The first conference was held in 2004 at St. George Distillery in Alameda, CA.
International spirits competition[edit]
The American Distilling Institute has held its annual spirits competition since 2007 and is the oldest and largest craft spirits competition.[5] Distillers from all over the world submit entries which are blind tasted and evaluated by experts in the Spirits industry. All entries are scored and feedback is provided on all entries. Results for best in class winners are announced at the annual Awards Gala.
Awards:
Best of Category
Best of Class
Excellence in Packaging Awards: awarded to a gold medal bottle
Bronze, Silver, Gold and Double Gold Medals
Craft spirits awards[edit]
Announcement of the Distillery of the Year Award called "Bubble Cap" award (a reference to a distilling device called a bubble cap) happens annually at the conference gala.
Bubble Cap Awards: Awarded to Distillery of the Year
2023 Bubble Cap Award[edit]
- Distillery of the Year – Garrison Brothers Distillery
2022 Bubble Cap Award[edit]
- Distillery of the Year – New Liberty Distillery
2021 Bubble Cap Award[edit]
- Distillery of the Year – Ironroot Republic Distillery
2020 Bubble Cap Award[edit]
- Distillery of the Year – Spirit Works Distillery[6]
2019 Bubble Cap Award[edit]
- Distillery of the Year – Golden Moon Distillery
2018 Bubble Cap Awards[edit]
- Distillery of the Year – Copperworks Distilling, Founders Micah Nutt and Jason Parker.[7]
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Hubert Germain-Robin, Master Distiller, Master Blender & Spirits Consultant
- Best Farm Distillery – Sourland Mountain Spirits, Founder Ray Disch
- Best Distillery Experience – Lost Spirits, Founder Bryan Davis
2017 Bubble Cap Award
- Distillery of the Year – Cedar Ridge Winery and Distillery
2016 Bubble Cap Award
- Distillery of the Year – Kings County Distillery
Annual craft distillery directory[edit]
Every year the Distiller's Resource Directory is published and distributed at the annual conference. The directory contains two primary sections. The first section is a listing of every active craft distillery. The second section is good and services needed to own and operate a craft distillery.
Distiller Magazine[edit]
A trade magazine focusing on news, research, and education in the craft distilling industry.[8]
References[edit]
- ^ "Travelocity and American Distilling Institute Reveal Top Spots for Craft Spirits Tourism". Men's Journal. 2017-04-24. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
- ^ Garbee, Jenn (2012-08-28). "Q & A With Bill Owens: The American Distilling Institute Founder's Cross-Country Road Trip, Industry Trends + His Favorite Spirit Stops". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
- ^ "5 Ways Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries Outsmarted Prohibition". First We Feast. Retrieved 2019-03-27.
- ^ Cooper, James C. (2010). "Working Paper no. 304" (PDF). Federal Trade Commission Working Papers.
- ^ Micallef, Joseph V. "The American Distilling Institute Announces The 2020 Craft Spirits Awards". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
- ^ Release, Press (2020-07-14). "Spirit Works Distillery Named "2020 Distillery of the Year"". Wine Industry Advisor. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
- ^ Nichols, Allyson (April 11, 2021). "New Copperworks American Single Malt Gets a Double Peated Touch". The Whiskey Wash.
- ^ "The Voice of Craft Distilling". Distiller Magazine. Retrieved 2022-04-21.