The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), America’s leading advocate for the distilled spirits industry, today announced new appointments to the Craft Advisory Council for the term 2021-2022.
The Craft Advisory Council was created as a leadership council to represent craft distillers’ positions on policy issues at the federal, state and local level, as well as to help guide DISCUS’ craft distiller-focused programming and benefits. Craft Advisory Council members are nominated by their peer DISCUS Craft Members, and the Craft Advisory Council votes on who will represent them as Chair for a two year term.
The Chair also represents craft distillers on the DISCUS Board of Directors.
DISCUS President and CEO Chris Swonger welcomed the new Craft Advisory Council members and commented. “DISCUS is proud to represent a growing membership of spirits producers of all sizes, including America’s fast-growingcraft distillers,” he says. “More than 2000 craft distillers across the United States provide important contributions to their local economies, tourism, and job market, and DISCUS is delighted to welcome these craft distiller leaders to the Craft Advisory Council.”
The Craft Advisory Council has elected Philip McDaniel, CEO and Co-Founder of St. Augustine Distillery, as Chair and Rob Cassell, President of New Liberty, as Vice Chair.
“St. Augustine Distillery is proud to be locally-owned and community-founded,” says Incoming Craft Advisory Council Chair Philip McDaniel. “We are committed to innovation and making where we live better for future generations. We are honoured to share what we’ve learned with the Craft Advisory Council and the broader DISCUS membership as we work together to shape the future of American distilling.”
The full 2021-2022 Craft Advisory Council membership follows:
- Philip McDaniel, Chair
St. Augustine Distillery (FL) - Robert Cassell, Vice Chair
New Liberty Distillery (PA) - Scott Harris
Catoctin Creek (VA) - Jeff QuintCedar
Ridge Distillery (IA) - Tom Lix
Cleveland Whiskey (OH) - Brian Facquet
Do Good Spirits (NY) - Michael Paluzzi
Falls Church Distillers (VA) - Steve GouldGolden
Moon Distillery (CO) - Adam Hirsch
Goza Tequila (GA) - Ted Huber
Huber’s Starlight Distillery (IN) - Amir Peay
James E Pepper (KY) - Jaime Windon
Lyon Rum (MD) - Tom Potter
NY Distilling Co. (NY) - Alex Castle
Old Dominick (TN) - Phil Brandon
Rock Town Distillery (AR) - Gareth Moore
Virginia Distillery Co. (VA) - Randy Carlson
Vermont Spirits (VT) - Lisa Cloutier
Whistling Andy Distillery (MT) - Kate Jerkens
Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey (TN)
