American Distilling Institute Explained

American Distilling Institute
Founder:Bill Owens
Type:California LLC
Vat Id:(for European organizations) -->
Purpose:Education, conference, competition
Headquarters:Hayward, CA
Location:United States
Services:Membership, education, conference, spirits competition
Fields:Beverage Alcohol
Language:English
Owners:-->
Leader Title:President
Leader Name:Erik Owens
Staff:5

The American Distilling Institute (ADI), is a 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

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

ADI's membership comprises mainly small to mid-sized distilleries and their employees.

Annual conference

The first conference was held in 2004 at St. George Distillery in Alameda, CA.

International spirits competition

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

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

2022 Bubble Cap Award

2021 Bubble Cap Award

2020 Bubble Cap Award

2019 Bubble Cap Award

2018 Bubble Cap Awards

2017 Bubble Cap Award

2016 Bubble Cap Award

Annual craft distillery directory

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

A trade magazine focusing on news, research, and education in the craft distilling industry.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Travelocity and American Distilling Institute Reveal Top Spots for Craft Spirits Tourism. 2017-04-24. Men's Journal. en-US. 2019-03-27.
  2. Web site: Q & A With Bill Owens: The American Distilling Institute Founder's Cross-Country Road Trip, Industry Trends + His Favorite Spirit Stops. Garbee. Jenn. 2012-08-28. L.A. Weekly. 2019-03-27.
  3. Web site: 5 Ways Breweries, Distilleries, and Wineries Outsmarted Prohibition. First We Feast. en. 2019-03-27.
  4. Cooper. James C.. 2010. Working Paper no. 304. Federal Trade Commission Working Papers.
  5. Web site: Micallef . Joseph V. . The American Distilling Institute Announces The 2020 Craft Spirits Awards . 2022-04-20 . Forbes . en.
  6. Web site: Release . Press . 2020-07-14 . Spirit Works Distillery Named "2020 Distillery of the Year" . 2022-05-02 . Wine Industry Advisor . en-US.
  7. Web site: Nichols . Allyson . April 11, 2021 . New Copperworks American Single Malt Gets a Double Peated Touch . The Whiskey Wash.
  8. Web site: The Voice of Craft Distilling . 2022-04-21 . Distiller Magazine . en-US.