Spirits United Continues to Gain Momentum

17,000 advocates and multiple partner organizations join spirits industry’s grassroots platform

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:                                                                         

Feb. 4, 2020

WASHINGTON –  More than 17,000 supporters and 10 industry groups have joined Spirits United, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States’ (DISCUS) grassroots platform designed to mobilize the spirits industry and its consumers on key policy issues.

“We kicked-off Spirits United in August, and the engagement from industry members and our partners has been amazing,” said Chris Swonger, president and CEO of DISCUS & Responsibility.org.  “Within six months of launching, Spirits United has reached more than 17,000 spirits advocates. The voice of the spirits industry is getting louder and more powerful, and we’re only getting started.”

Swonger noted that in the past four weeks, the Kentucky Distillers’ Association (KDA), the Tennessee Distillers Guild (TNDG), the New York State Distillers Guild (NYSDG) and the Distilled Spirits Council of Vermont (DSCV) have joined as Spirits United partners.  Additional partners include the American Distilling Institute (ADI), TIPS, Texas Whiskey Association (TXWA), Texas Distilled Spirits Association (TDSA), Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA) and Techniques for Alcohol Management (TAM).

“We are thrilled to expand our grassroots reach in Kentucky, Tennessee, New York and Vermont—four important states for our industry,” said Swonger. “Through our Spirits United partners, we are building a broad base of supporters, from state guilds to national industry organizations to spirits consumers, who can be activated to send a unified message to lawmakers on issues that matter most to the spirits sector.”

The Spirits United platform features important information on key issues facing the spirits industry, hospitality professionals and consumers, and provides advocates with an easy-to-use website to weigh in on policy issues that are important to them.

Swonger noted that Spirits United is already having a real impact.  Through the Spirits United platform, industry advocates drove more than 65,000 communications to Congress urging lawmakers to pass the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act (CBMTRA). At the end of 2019, Congress passed a one year extension of CBMTRA.

Commitment to Responsibility

Spirits United continues to underscore a strong commitment to responsibility as its foundation.  Through Spirits United’s social media content and information on its website, spirits advocates will be encouraged to join industry efforts to prevent underage drinking and drunk driving, and to promote the responsible consumption of beverage alcohol.

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Join Spirits United

Spirits United is an inclusive community for anyone and everyone over the age of 21. To join Spirits United, please click here. Spirits United is also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.  Watch “I am Spirits United” here.

About the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

The Distilled Spirits Council is the leading voice and advocate for distilled spirits in the United

Contact: Public Affairs 202-682-8840