Popular vodka, whiskey, moonshine, and tequila maker closes suddenly

Rebecca French

3 months ago

In recent years, U.S. breweries have faced a perfect storm of economic and market headwinds that have led to many breweries going bankrupt.

First, many Americans are drinking less, especially young people.

“Young Americans have become less likely to drink alcohol over the past 20 years, with 18- to 34-year-olds saying they drink less and less. ever drank,them Drinking alcohol in the past week and they Sometimes drinking more than you shouldAll lower today. Meanwhile, drinking among older Americans is trending upward on all three measures, while drinking among middle-aged adults has remained fairly stable, according to the Gallup poll. “

62% of adults under 35 say they drink alcohol, down from 72% two decades ago.
In contrast, drinking increased among adults 55 and older.
Young people also drink less frequently and are less likely to drink to excess.

Additionally, breweries continue to feel the impact Tariffs imposed under President Donald Trumpwhich increases production costs Leading to a sharp decline in U.S. whiskey exports to major markets such as the European Union.

“We are very concerned about the impact that tariffs will have on our industry,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers Association, said, according to WKYT.

Put these two challenges together, and it’s no surprise that American distilleries, including Artisan Distillery & Craft Bar, have decided to close their doors.

The effects are already being felt.

The latest report released by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States on the occasion of its second anniversary shows that since the EU’s 25% retaliatory tariffs took effect on June 22, 2018, U.S. whiskey exports to the EU, the largest export market for the U.S. spirits industry, have dropped by 33%, resulting in a loss of US$300 million.

The EU imposed damaging tariffs in response to US tariffs on EU steel and aluminum.

“U.S. distillers had enjoyed two decades of unparalleled growth in the EU before these retaliatory tariffs were imposed,” said Chris Swonger, CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS). “This report makes clear that these tariffs have taken the wind out of U.S. whiskey exports to our largest export market, resulting in more than $2.5 billion in lost sales.”

Artisan Distillery & Craft Bar is famous for its Spike Vodka, a spirit made with roux instead of traditional fermented grains or potatoes. Later, the distillery added gin, whiskey, moonshine, and tequila-like liquor and began brewing beer.

Closing wasn’t an easy decision for the brand’s owners, but they made it very clear why in an Instagram post.

“Artisan’s closing is due to the accumulation of current economic and market changes, current tariffs that have significantly increased production costs, and the declining popularity of craft cocktails and microbreweries/breweries,” the company said.

Its last day is January 25th.

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Owner Nick Spink shared comments about the closure with MYSA.

“We’ve had a great time brewing premium craft distilleries and microbrews, and have had a lot of fun brewing some of the best cocktails in town. We’ve had the pleasure of supporting local arts, comedy, markets and the LGBTQ+ community over the years. We’ve won many awards over the years, but it’s sad that we are closing,” said Spink.