National Craft Spirits Week

History of National Craft Spirits Week

In the early days, there was evidence of extremely simple distilled liquors manufactured in Asia from ingredients such as rice and milk, which was found in China. After some time, distillation techniques made their way to Greece, but it wasn’t until they reached Persia that things began to pick up speed.

It is possible to trace the production of craft spirits back to the time of the ancient Greeks when they conducted experiments on blending liquids that originated from the concept of distilling wine. During this period, the production of spirits was stigmatized as a form of illegal magic because the end product of these operations was thought to have a mildly intoxicating effect. Craft spirit distilling came into being not only for the purpose of drinking and socializing with friends but also for other reasons. At the beginning of the second century B.C. in Egypt, the earliest manufacturers had the purpose of obtaining components from nature and using them for healing procedures, which is more important than just creating a beverage for leisurely consumption. Another example is the ancient Greek mariners who experimented with evaporating seawater to produce drinkable water.

In ancient Persia, known as the “seat of medicine” during that time, distillation developed into a standard academic subject in medical institutions. In the 17th century, along with the tremendous production breakthroughs of other types of liquors such as whiskey, the art of manufacturing craft spirits grew at previously unheard-of rates, and it evolved to the point where it could be sold.

National Craft Spirits Week timeline

8th Century

Alembic Distilling

The alembic is the oldest-known brewing method done in the alembic pot, and Jabir ibn Hayyan, an Arabic alchemist, is credited with inventing this distillation method.

19th Century

Column Distillery

Column distillation emerges because of the need for a more rapid distillation process,.

2000

Craft Distilleries

The number of craft distilleries in the U.S. is 24.

2014

Distilleries Explosion

There is a distillery explosion with over 600 distilleries open in the U.S.

National Craft Spirits Week FAQs

When is National Craft Spirits Week?

National Craft Spirits Week 2026 runs from Sunday, June 21, through Saturday, June 27, celebrating the independent spirit of distillers.

What defines a 'craft spirit'?

While definitions vary, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) defines a craft distiller as one who produces fewer than 750,000 proof gallons annually, is independently owned, and values transparency. This emphasizes smaller scale, hands-on production, and unique flavor profiles.

How many craft distilleries are there in the U.S.?

The craft distilling industry has seen significant growth, with the American Craft Spirits Association reporting over 2,600 active craft distilleries across the U.S. in 2023. This number continues to expand annually, reflecting strong consumer interest.

What are some popular types of craft spirits?

Craft distillers often excel in producing unique whiskies (bourbon, rye, single malt), gins with botanical infusions, vodkas from diverse bases, and artisanal brandies. Many also experiment with liqueurs, rum, and agave spirits, offering a wide array of choices.

National Craft Spirits Week Activities

Create a cocktail

You can use your favorite craft spirits to whip up a cocktail. You can share the recipe with friends and family or encourage them to create their own.

Show support

You can support your local craft distillery by giving them a shoutout on social media to gain more customers. You can use #CraftsSpiritWeek while uploading a picture or video of your local craft distillery.

Pair with good food

What’s better than drinking craft spirits? Pairing it with great food. Prepare a few recipes that go well with the spirit you’re drinking. Consider looking at the bottle label to find out the ingredients used to manufacture it, and use your knowledge while searching for meals to accompany it.

5 Interesting Facts About Craft Spirits

Common definitions of the ‘craft distillery’

The American Craft Spirits Association defines a craft distillery as a distillery that values transparency about the ingredients, a distillery with minimum ownership of 51%, and a distillery that produces fewer than 750,000 gallons annually.

Spirits can be served chilled

One of the most enjoyable parts of the experience is having the artisan spirits served cold.

Spirits are not mass-produced

Since Jack Daniel's and Heineken are mass-produced alcoholic beverages rather than handcrafted artisanal spirits, this means that they cannot be considered handmade distilled spirits.

Spirits are locally produced

The spirits are created and typically manufactured by a small distillery using locally obtained ingredients and resources.

Geographical limitations

The distribution of the finished products is usually restricted to a certain geographic area.

Why We Love National Craft Spirits Week

A unique experience

For many people, being able to try the spirits is a unique experience. This can be a fun activity for family and friends to do together.

Try something new

During the week, craft distilleries host celebrations to get individuals interested in trying out their spirits. It can be a fun way to branch out from the traditional spirits that most people are familiar with.

Supporting local businesses

The week allows people to support their local craft businesses, which helps them stay in business so they can expand their business and get more people to know about craft spirits.