Park Street Companies has teamed with the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and the International Wine and Spirits Research group (IWSR) to develop and release the Craft Spirits Data Project for a third year.
To receive a copy of this year’s Craft Spirits Data Project please email: info@parkstreet.com
KEY FINDINGS AND HIGHLIGHTS
- The craft distilling industry sold nearly 7.2 million cases in 2017, up 23.7% in volume over 2016, with $3.7 billion in sales and 29.9% growth by value.
- The number of active craft distilleries* in the U.S. grew by 15.5% over the last year to 1,835 distilleries.
- Craft Spirits industry investment has doubled over the past two years.
- Exports are up 5.7% since 2016 with more than half a million cases exported.
- Distillery and tasting room sales make up 40% of all sales for small craft distilleries, while out of state sales make up 62% for larger craft distilleries.
- Some states are “craftier” than others, with California, New York, Washington, Texas, and Colorado.
- Federal Excise Tax (FET) reform is helping to stimulate craft spirits growth.
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY
The Craft Spirits Data Project © 2018 is a proprietary research project whose goal is to provide a solid and reliable fact base for evaluating performance and trends in the U.S. craft spirits industry. The Craft Spirits Data Project, which was first announced and presented in 2016, is the beverage industry’s first-ever comprehensive craft distilling study. The Project quantifies the number, size, and impact of craft spirits producers in the United States.
Together, the ACSA, Park Street, and the IWSR launched the Craft Spirits Data Project in October, 2015. 2018 data collection began in January, and remained ongoing through August, 2018. The Project collected data primarily from spirits producers ( DSPs), distributors and retailers.
The program aims to create a deeper understanding of the U.S. craft spirits landscape among three key groups: DSPs, distributors and retailers. The study collected comprehensive data on craft distiller production size and patterns, sources of revenue, and the category’s overall economic impact within the spirits industry. The Project also collected data on craft spirits business size, patterns and outlook on the distributor level and assess craft spirits business size and outlook by premise type at retail.
When estimating the number of producers behind the U.S. craft spirits production, the project team relies on a combination of official data released by regulatory authorities, survey data, other industry data sources both national (e.g., NABCA, ACSA) and regional (e.g., Guilds), as well as interviews and team assessments using the craft distiller definition.
ABOUT ACSA
The American Craft Spirits Association is the only registered non-profit trade association representing the U.S. craft spirits industry. Its mission is to elevate and advocate for the community of craft spirits producers, and membership in ACSA is open to anyone.
ACSA is governed by a Board of Directors elected by the eligible voting members of the Association. Voting members must be independent, licensed distillers (DSPs) annually removing fewer than 750,000 proof gallons from bond (the amount on which a Federal Excise Tax is paid.) who subscribe to ACSA’s Code of Ethics.
ABOUT THE IWSR
The IWSR is the leading source of data and analysis on the beverage alcohol market. The IWSR is the longest-running research company specializing exclusively in global alcoholic drinks. The IWSR’s comprehensive database quantifies the global and local market of wine, spirits, beer, cider and prepared cocktails by volume and value, and provides insight into short- and long-term trends.
The IWSR’s methodology is unique. It is the only research company to annually visit distributors, importers, producers, retailers and duty-free operators in each market. This allows the IWSR to better understand market dynamics, real consumption figures, and to explain why certain trends occur. The IWSR conducts face-to-face interviews with 1,500 companies in 118 countries each year, with further input from 350 companies. It provides more detail on more brands, across more countries, than any other source. The IWSR produces several special reports each year; for more details, please visit
ABOUT PARK STREET
Park Street delivers productivity-enhancing and cost-saving back-office solutions, advisory services, and working capital to more than 12,500 alcoholic beverage brands from the U.S. and around the world. Established in 2003, the company provides a fast and reliable conduit to the U.S. and EU markets and a cost-effective operating platform. Park Street works with suppliers at all stages of growth and its clients range from entrepreneurial craft distillers to multi-brand global platforms.
The firm’s major practice areas are 1)Back-Office Solutions, including regulatory compliance, logistics, national importing, distribution, warehousing, order-fulfillment, accounting, customer service, and more; 2)Advisory Services, including business building, route-to-market planning, organization effectiveness, strategic partnerships, join ventures, negotiation support, and more; 3)Working Capital Solutions, including accounts receivable, financing, revolving credit facilities, term loans secured by accounts receivables and other assets, guarantees, and letters of credit. With its extensive expertise in the alcoholic beverage sector, Park Street provides clients comprehensive, turn-key solutions across its practice areas, all within the context of exceptional professional service delivery.
To receive a copy of this year’s Craft Spirits Data Project please email: info@parkstreet.com