ARLINGTON — First, there were microbreweries, then boutique wineries. Now, the craft distilleries are coming.
Actually, they are already here. There are 113 small distilleries in the state, including a handful in Snohomish County.
But these hands-on, artisanal operations have a hard time connecting with potential customers.
The Legislature tried to remove some of the obstacles when it passed Senate Bill 5353, which removes several constraints on consumer interaction for craft distilleries. The act goes into effect Friday, but it won’t be implemented before December.
The state Liquor Control Board has to write rules to implement the legislation, which the state House and Senate passed with overwhelming support this past April.
The new rules could really help small distilleries connect with more customers, said Shelly McGlothern, co-owner of Bad Dog Distillery in Arlington.
Before now, Bad Dog Distillery and other craft distillers had few opportunities to directly connect with consumers, who might not want to take a chance on a bottle of booze they had never tried.
Distillery tasting rooms have been allowed only to serve their alcohol straight and at room temperature.
No mixers. Not even water or ice, just lukewarm liquor.
The new law removes restrictions in five areas. First, distilleries will now be able to serve liquor samples cut with mixers, water and ice. They can sell their alcohol online, host private events, sell gift cards and sell bottles at farmers markets.
Hosting events “is really big for us,” McGlothern said.
The new law allows a distillery to hold up to 12 events a year.
Hosting events will give Bad Dog a chance to “invite people who might not otherwise come to the distillery,” she said.
Connecting with local customers is key to building a community that can help Bad Dog grow.
“We are a small-town, local distillery,” she said.
The new law is not a fix-all, though.
Distillers might be able to sell liquor and spirits online, but getting it to the customer is another matter, said Jason Parker, head of the Washington Distillers Guild.
The major shipping companies are not signing new contracts for shipping alcohol. About 10 craft distilleries, including Parker’s Copperworks Distilling Co. in Seattle, have contracts that were grandfathered in when the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx and UPS announced the changes in their policies, he said.
The guild will work to find another, cost-effective shipping alternative.
Guild members will help the state’s Liquor Control Board come up with the new rules in the coming months. The oversight agency is taking public comments until Sept. 1.
A few weeks later, it will release a proposed rule, which will be followed by a public hearing. The proposal could be changed based on public input. The agency’s board members still would have to approve the new rules, which tentatively are scheduled to go into effect Dec. 19.
The new law is a big improvement, but plenty of work remains, said Parker, who has ambitious goals for the state’s homegrown liquor industry.
“We have a long way to go until the majority of spirits sold in Washington are made here.”
Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
