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On tap there?

It was on at the DeKalb location yesterday when we went. Also a BA Stout that Powzy liked even more.

Is Whiskey Acres any good? People go there?

It's a cute lil' place. Very friendly. Very small. Wouldn't go on a bad weather day since most of their seating is outside.

Their vodka is the best vodka I've ever had. I know that ain't saying much because it's vodka. Still, I sampled it at a Binny's once and did a double take.
 
Is Whiskey Acres any good? People go there?
I've had some of their small batch/limited release stuff whiskey, and it's impressive for a small distiller. Very drinkable, lots of good barrel notes, etc. Their more year-round stuff goes great into spirit-forward cocktails.

FWIW, I think most small distillers disappoint when it comes to aged spirits. I appreciate what FEW, Journeyman, Koval, etc., are trying to do, but they just don't have so few barrels with so little age compared to Buffalo Trace, Beam-Suntory, etc., that the results always come up short. Whiskey Acres actually held their own imo, which says something.

I haven't had their clear spirits.
 
34419244_1840802025941477_4383991234922807296_n.jpg


Fun event coming up in a couple of weeks with dvelcich (Burger Antics) and Imperial Oak Brewing. Course #4 is the same thing that was being served at this year's Brewpub Shootout as well.
 
https://libationlawblog.com/2018/06...ewers-advances-to-the-governor-for-signature/

This is fascinating to me, and I really can't believe it passed the House and Senate without any nay votes. As as person who sides strongly with the breweries on 3 Tier issues I think it's mostly a common sense piece of legislation, but I'd love to hear from the retailer / wholesaler perspective.
This brings up a lot of things I never thought about, particularly with the 3rd point. I'm reading it as saying a brewery that has two locations currently cannot personally transfer beer between them. Is that right? So if Off Color brews something at Mousetrap, they can't move it to the bottle shop location without a distributor?

It also makes sense why 3 Tier would prevent a brewery from having a secondary warehouse space, though I'm wondering how practical something like that would be anyway. Is there a need for something like that, outside of maybe a barrel aging space? Wouldn't you rather get the beer into distribution as fast as possible?
 
This brings up a lot of things I never thought about, particularly with the 3rd point. I'm reading it as saying a brewery that has two locations currently cannot personally transfer beer between them. Is that right? So if Off Color brews something at Mousetrap, they can't move it to the bottle shop location without a distributor?

It also makes sense why 3 Tier would prevent a brewery from having a secondary warehouse space, though I'm wondering how practical something like that would be anyway. Is there a need for something like that, outside of maybe a barrel aging space? Wouldn't you rather get the beer into distribution as fast as possible?

Correct regarding the transfer of beer between locations (Off Color, Revolution, and Pollyana come to mind immediately and I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting).

Well if you are making something like a bottle conditioned wild that you want to carbonate and condition for a number of months, but don't want to have it taking up valuable brewery space, that could be one reason. I'm sure there are a bunch of other scenarios that would fit here as well.
 
Correct regarding the transfer of beer between locations (Off Color, Revolution, and Pollyana come to mind immediately and I'm sure there are more that I'm forgetting).

Well if you are making something like a bottle conditioned wild that you want to carbonate and condition for a number of months, but don't want to have it taking up valuable brewery space, that could be one reason. I'm sure there are a bunch of other scenarios that would fit here as well.

Would also make sense for a brewpub that doesn't have much non-food/retail space and wants to start packaging a lot more. Could then store most finished product offsite.

This will be really great for us as now we can open a taproom a lot faster as (1) we can have an even smaller operation at the taproom and (2) can have other product available to fill up taps when we're not at full draft line capacity with our own beers.
 
Would also make sense for a brewpub that doesn't have much non-food/retail space and wants to start packaging a lot more. Could then store most finished product offsite.

This will be really great for us as now we can open a taproom a lot faster as (1) we can have an even smaller operation at the taproom and (2) can have other product available to fill up taps when we're not at full draft line capacity with our own beers.

My garage is available as a taproom space.
 
I actually thought beer was already moveable between locations way back from the original self distro bill (Which helped Pipeworks way back when).

I only recall this because Destihl was able to start moving beer between their BloNo and Champaign breweries finally at that time.

It's quite possible that the amount is just going up.
 
I actually thought beer was already moveable between locations way back from the original self distro bill (Which helped Pipeworks way back when).

I only recall this because Destihl was able to start moving beer between their BloNo and Champaign breweries finally at that time.

It's quite possible that the amount is just going up.

Was that only for self-distro breweries though? Rev and Off Color have distributors.
 
I actually thought beer was already moveable between locations way back from the original self distro bill (Which helped Pipeworks way back when).

I only recall this because Destihl was able to start moving beer between their BloNo and Champaign breweries finally at that time.

It's quite possible that the amount is just going up.
Thinking along the conspiracy lines, is it possible that this paves the way for easier post-acquisition moves by big beer companies?
 
I haven’t seen anyone share the list for Pints for Paws at Burger Antics next Sunday. I hope to see some of you there!


... incredible list, wish I could make it.

Those burgers arent too shabby either ;)


[Insert Metro comment about how you aren't supposed to bottle a zwickel]

please send that memo to Urban Chesnut, becasue their canned offering kills it
 
Ok, so we discussed this bill on the Insiders Roundtable on March 1st (it's the episode all about Josh Noel's New Book if you wanna listen) so lemme clarify some things and offer some opinions:

First we gotta talk about the licenses involved:

Class 1 Brewer's License = This is a license that allows one to produce up to 30,000bbls annually and can self distribute up to 7,500bbls. (Pipeworks, Lake Effect, etc)

Class 2 Brewer's License = This is a license that allows one to produce up 120,000bbls annually. This license cannot self distribute, but can commonly transfer (with approval) of up to 120,000bbls of its production (so up to 100%) to another Class 2 License owned by the same Licensee (Destihl, Revolution being the example of how they cannot transfer to the Brewpub without going through a wholesaler)

Brewpub License (Special Retailers License) = This license allows one to produce up to 5,000bbls annually and cannot self distribute, but CAN sell on and off premise (growlers) up to 5,000bbls, or 100% of production. There is no limit to how many brewpubs a License holder can own, so long as ownership is not shared with a Class 2 license. They CAN share ownership with a Class 2, but their brewpubs are limited to a max of 3 and the Brewpub must be a separate location. (Revolution)

One note here: Currently, Brewpubs can offer Food, Wine, Spirits, Beer & Cider. Taprooms can only offer their own beer.

Ok, ready? Here we go:

1: "For starters the bill allows Illinois brewers to sell their beer to other brewers for sale in those other breweries’ taprooms. (See amendments to 235 ILCS 5/3-12(a)(18)(A) and (C))"

So this part of the bill came about because two breweries did a collaboration beer, and then one of the collaborators couldn't sell it, sticking the other brewery with all of the inventory. This is pretty uncontroversial to everyone.

2: "2nd, in addition to allowing breweries to sell other craft beer from their taprooms it also allows brewers to sell cider from their tap rooms. (See amendments to 235 ILCS 5/6-4(e))"

Again, uncontroversial, and came about mostly because taprooms wanted to be able to have a gluten-free option. However it's worth pointing out that Cider is not defined by this bill, and that the language of the bill is fairly broad. Also, Cider is considered Wine by the IL liquor commission, so assuming this goes through, a Taproom could easily start selling wine and say "Yeah but by your own definition of Cider we can sell Wine too." The cynic in me sees this as a backdoor into Wine sales at taprooms.

3: "3rd, it allows Class 1 Brewers to transfer up to 930,000 gallons of their beer from one of their premises to another provided they obtain permission from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and allows Class 2 Brewers to transfer up to 31,000 gallons of beer between their premises so long as they’re within 80 miles of each other and provided they submit notice to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission of the transfer. (See amendments to 235 ILCS 5/5-12(a))"

So on the Class 1 side that's the entirety of production, or the full 30,000bbls. This make sense for the example of Lake Effect. They're in the process of opening a taproom, and can now send all of their beer there to sell.

On the Class 2 side, we'll use Revolution as the example, because as stated above, they can't transfer to their Brewpub or vice versa without going through their wholesaler. So this simply cleans up the language and allows them to do it.

Two things to note here: One is that the language in the bill says you must have manufacturing at both locations in order to transfer but doesn't impose a size limit either way on it. So in the Lake Effect example, Clint could have a 5 gallon homebrew "test system" in the Taproom. The other is that these these transfers are capped at the full 120,000bbls EXCEPT for Rev, Half Acre, Two Brothers & Destihl, all of whom have been grandfathered to be able to produce and transfer however much they'd like. When Pipeworks hits 120,000bbls (in 2022?!) they will not be able to transfer any more than that. Personally i understand why Rev and the others would be grandfathered, but personally i'm always bothered by an uneven playing field.

4: "And 4th, it establishes a Brewer Warehouse Permit which allows Class 1 Brewers to transfer and store up 930,000 gallons of tax-determined beer that they manufacturer at an off-site warehouse, and allows Class 2 Brewers to transfer and store up to 3,720,000 gallons of tax-determined beer that they manufacturer at an off-site warehouse. It should be noted that while this is a new license, the ability to operate an alcohol Warehouse is also still granted and addressed in Article VIIA of the Liquor Control Act. (See amendments to 235 ILCS 5/5-3)."

Also uncontroversial. People run out of room.

--

Overall these moves are fine, but i see a lot of this as ripe for exploitation by big beer, Ballast Point and Goose Island being the obvious examples here. With Ballast's foothold with their Brewpub license here in IL, they can now open as many as they'd like with the full force of Constellation behind them to do it, and can start exerting market pressure on pricing and such.

And ABDI doesn't like this, which makes me pretty happy.
 
Ok, so we discussed this bill on the Insiders Roundtable on March 1st (it's the episode all about Josh Noel's New Book if you wanna listen) so lemme clarify some things and offer some opinions:

First we gotta talk about the licenses involved:

Class 1 Brewer's License = This is a license that allows one to produce up to 30,000bbls annually and can self distribute up to 7,500bbls. (Pipeworks, Lake Effect, etc)

Class 2 Brewer's License = This is a license that allows one to produce up 120,000bbls annually. This license cannot self distribute, but can commonly transfer (with approval) of up to 120,000bbls of its production (so up to 100%) to another Class 2 License owned by the same Licensee (Destihl, Revolution being the example of how they cannot transfer to the Brewpub without going through a wholesaler)

Brewpub License (Special Retailers License) = This license allows one to produce up to 5,000bbls annually and cannot self distribute, but CAN sell on and off premise (growlers) up to 5,000bbls, or 100% of production. There is no limit to how many brewpubs a License holder can own, so long as ownership is not shared with a Class 2 license. They CAN share ownership with a Class 2, but their brewpubs are limited to a max of 3 and the Brewpub must be a separate location. (Revolution)

One note here: Currently, Brewpubs can offer Food, Wine, Spirits, Beer & Cider. Taprooms can only offer their own beer.

Ok, ready? Here we go:

1: "For starters the bill allows Illinois brewers to sell their beer to other brewers for sale in those other breweries’ taprooms. (See amendments to 235 ILCS 5/3-12(a)(18)(A) and (C))"

So this part of the bill came about because two breweries did a collaboration beer, and then one of the collaborators couldn't sell it, sticking the other brewery with all of the inventory. This is pretty uncontroversial to everyone.

2: "2nd, in addition to allowing breweries to sell other craft beer from their taprooms it also allows brewers to sell cider from their tap rooms. (See amendments to 235 ILCS 5/6-4(e))"

Again, uncontroversial, and came about mostly because taprooms wanted to be able to have a gluten-free option. However it's worth pointing out that Cider is not defined by this bill, and that the language of the bill is fairly broad. Also, Cider is considered Wine by the IL liquor commission, so assuming this goes through, a Taproom could easily start selling wine and say "Yeah but by your own definition of Cider we can sell Wine too." The cynic in me sees this as a backdoor into Wine sales at taprooms.

3: "3rd, it allows Class 1 Brewers to transfer up to 930,000 gallons of their beer from one of their premises to another provided they obtain permission from the Illinois Liquor Control Commission, and allows Class 2 Brewers to transfer up to 31,000 gallons of beer between their premises so long as they’re within 80 miles of each other and provided they submit notice to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission of the transfer. (See amendments to 235 ILCS 5/5-12(a))"

So on the Class 1 side that's the entirety of production, or the full 30,000bbls. This make sense for the example of Lake Effect. They're in the process of opening a taproom, and can now send all of their beer there to sell.

On the Class 2 side, we'll use Revolution as the example, because as stated above, they can't transfer to their Brewpub or vice versa without going through their wholesaler. So this simply cleans up the language and allows them to do it.

Two things to note here: One is that the language in the bill says you must have manufacturing at both locations in order to transfer but doesn't impose a size limit either way on it. So in the Lake Effect example, Clint could have a 5 gallon homebrew "test system" in the Taproom. The other is that these these transfers are capped at the full 120,000bbls EXCEPT for Rev, Half Acre, Two Brothers & Destihl, all of whom have been grandfathered to be able to produce and transfer however much they'd like. When Pipeworks hits 120,000bbls (in 2022?!) they will not be able to transfer any more than that. Personally i understand why Rev and the others would be grandfathered, but personally i'm always bothered by an uneven playing field.

4: "And 4th, it establishes a Brewer Warehouse Permit which allows Class 1 Brewers to transfer and store up 930,000 gallons of tax-determined beer that they manufacturer at an off-site warehouse, and allows Class 2 Brewers to transfer and store up to 3,720,000 gallons of tax-determined beer that they manufacturer at an off-site warehouse. It should be noted that while this is a new license, the ability to operate an alcohol Warehouse is also still granted and addressed in Article VIIA of the Liquor Control Act. (See amendments to 235 ILCS 5/5-3)."

Also uncontroversial. People run out of room.

--

Overall these moves are fine, but i see a lot of this as ripe for exploitation by big beer, Ballast Point and Goose Island being the obvious examples here. With Ballast's foothold with their Brewpub license here in IL, they can now open as many as they'd like with the full force of Constellation behind them to do it, and can start exerting market pressure on pricing and such.

And ABDI doesn't like this, which makes me pretty happy.
Thanks as always for the thorough answer!
 
vav - what are the price differences between licenses? is it cost prohibitive to get the larger, less restrictive license?
 
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