FROM DAIRY BYPRODUCT TO DISTILLED DELIGHT Nestled in the heart of Wisconsin’s dairy country, Knowlton House Distillery is redefining what it means to craft spirits with local heritage and ingenuity. What began as a family tradition rooted in farming and cheesemaking has blossomed into an award-winning distillery that marries old-world agriculture with innovative craft distilling….
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A data-driven look at a craft spirits industry entering its Systems Era. For anyone scanning top-level metrics from the latest Craft Spirits Data Project, it would be easy to conclude the craft spirits market trends show an industry contracting. Volumes softened. Fewer producers were counted. Investment slowed. Employment dipped. But that reading misses the real…
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As distilleries scale, barrel storage decisions become more than a warehousing question, they impact inventory accuracy, financial risk, operational efficiency, and long-term brand strategy. In a recent joint webinar, Barrel Scout joined us to explore the realities of palletized barrel storage, the risks that come with it, and how technology-enabled barrel management can turn complexity…
If you run a distillery you already know the importance of understanding of the distilling process, and you also know how quickly things can fall out of sync when members of your staff don’t. Cuts drift, yields shift, compliance data gets messy, and flavor profiles become inconsistent from batch to batch. For growth-stage DSPs distillation…
We’re excited to welcome MKD Collective to the FIVE x 5 Distillery Consulting Partner network! If you haven’t met her yet, MKD Collective is led by Katie Gezon, who brings more than a decade of experience in the alcohol and beverage industry. She’s managed operations at Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, and Pepsi, leading large production teams and…
California has officially passed Assembly Bill 1246 (AB 1246), a major milestone for craft distillers both within the state and across the country. The new law, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, extends and expands California DtC (direct-to-consumer) shipping privileges, opening new sales channels for producers and more convenience for craft spirits enthusiasts….
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At FIVE x 5, innovation isn’t just about adding new features, it’s about making life easier for the people who bring great spirits to life. Every update to DISTILL x 5 starts with a simple question: how can we help our customers work smarter, not harder? In the past, introducing a new proof or variant…
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INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST PARTNER: AMBER + OAK At FIVE x 5, we’re always looking for ways to bring more value to our customers — not just through software, but through trusted relationships with industry experts who understand what distilleries need to succeed. Amber + Oak specializes in TTB compliance, regulatory consulting, and audit readiness for…
At FIVE x 5, we’ve been talking a lot about partnerships — what they mean, why they matter, and how they’re shaping the future of our industry. Spoiler alert for this month’s Letter from Leadership: That’s exactly why we’re excited to spotlight one of our newest ecosystem partners: Barrel Scout THE BARREL STORAGE SOLUTION YOU…
The world of distilling is full of complex decisions—from sourcing ingredients to compliance and beyond. But one of the most overlooked decisions that can have major financial consequences? Choosing the right distillery software partner. At FIVE x 5®, we’ve spent years working alongside distillers, and we’ve seen firsthand how other software vendors take advantage of…
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Are you a distillery, brewery or winery/cidery in New York State? If so, there is a substantial NY spirits tax credit available to you based on the quantity of product that you bottle each year. Commodity Rebate Cap, gal Max Rebate Amt Effective Bottle COGS Discount Beer, Cider $0.14/gal 500,000 $70,000 355ml: 1.3 cents Wine …
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“Container Deposit” schemes are State regulations aimed at reducing waste and/or increasing return rates of used beverage containers. The legislation that creates these programs is often called a “Bottle Bill”. While Bottle Bills are commonplace for soda cans and other beverage containers, distilled spirits have long enjoyed an exception to those regulations in most states….
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There are two things we all can use more of: time & money. So when you come across an idea that: Well, that’s worth something. Here’s just such an idea: While at the American Distilling Institute trade show in Las Vegas I met Tyler Derheim from FIVE x 5 Solutions. In addition to working with…
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Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) is an accounting metric used by manufacturers and other businesses to weigh the direct cost of making a product. COGS is broadly split into three categories: materials/supplies, overhead and labor. DISTILL x 5 and Whiskey Systems have built-in functionality to track Material COGS from grain receipt through to production, storage…
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A conversation with Chris Farmand, CEO of Small Batch Standard Running a distillery is no easy feat, it requires detailed planning, hard work, and dedication to make it successful. While there are certain goals that you may be focused on, such as building up inventory, aging your product, and developing a brand, profitability is a…
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We have a new position open on our team! We are looking for a Training & Education Content Specialist with the below skill set requirements. 4+ years in software sales, customer service, success, or support, preferably for SaaS OR, a bachelor degree in Marketing or Education and 2 years of same experience. AND; 1+ year…
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Here’s a quick recap of 2022! We are looking forward to some really exciting things coming in 2023, keep an eye out for those announcements here or in our monthly newsletter!
In the age of fast-paced marketing, where today’s tactics are already yesterday’s news by the time you’ve implemented them, there is still one truth that remains; brand storytelling is the most compelling way for you to build your distillery’s brand and connect with your audience. There is a reason the most successful companies continue to…
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How do you know when the time has come and your distillery needs distillery management software? You’ve received your license— Many distilleries don’t think they need software early on in their development. However, in the United States the TTB requires reporting as soon as a license is issued, whether you are producing or not. Having…
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FIVE x 5 Solutions has partnered with Whiskey Capital Secured Financing Fund to bring non-traditional distillery funding to our clients. Whiskey Capital specifically provides funding for American Whiskey distilleries who have capital tied up in the whiskey aging in their rack houses. Fx5 Solutions CEO Caroline Calhoun recently sat down with Whiskey Capital Secured Financing…
Time is the most valuable resource any of us has. With a finite amount to use, how we choose to spend our time is the most important decision we make every day. Couple that with the fact that most modern humans deal with time famine – a universal feeling of having too much to do…
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We recently checked in with Jeremy DeWitt, Assistant Distillery Manager at 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirit Co., about how things have been going with Whiskey Systems since the beginning, and how they have been since they switched back to Whiskey Systems after a brief hiatus. FIVE x 5: Tell us more about your journey into…
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The most critical thing distilleries must track is spirit production, on which tax (duty) must be paid. Consumers enjoy distilled spirits, and so do governments – if only because of the revenue gained from alcohol production! In the United Kingdom, HMRC oversees the license and oversight of distilled spirits producers and requires distilleries report and…
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The Beginning Several years ago, Chris Montana of Du Nord Social Spirits (formerly Du Nord Craft Spirits) walked in the doors of a trade show and realized he was the only person of color in the room. When he became President of the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA), Montana voiced his concerns over the lack of diversity – due to lack of touch points for…
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Sometimes you don’t know your distillery needs outside help until it’s too late. Here are a few signs it’s time to bring in the experts – and what to look for when hiring a consultant.
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You’ve seen the statistics and the headlines – RTDs are catching a buzz right now with consumers. If you’re contemplating adding a Ready to Drink (RTD) cocktail to your product lineup, now is the time to do so. Keep reading for our compilation of important considerations for distilleries of any size when expanding into RTDs.
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Denver, CO – Today, FIVE x 5 Solutions, the leader in operations management software for distilleries, introduced a new, redesigned website and new branding for its distillery management software, DISTILL x 5.
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The Excise Tax: the bane of all distillers’ existence, and part of the reason FIVE x 5 exists! Thoroughly understanding excise tax is essential for the success of a distillery of any size. With partner distilleries in more than 10 countries around the world, the Fx5 team is constantly working to keep abreast of legislative…
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Navigating change is always going to be difficult. Navigating change while trying to mobilize an entire organization with you? Even more difficult. We have witnessed many of our client distilleries experience change over the years, and the common themes we found among those that did so with grace and ease: they know who they are,…
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Written by Megan Alexander Our meeting with Rohan McGowan, distiller and wearer of many hats at The Pokeno Whisky Company, was exciting in many ways. A quick Google search will yield only scant traces of interviews and other articles written about the distillery, located about an hour south of Auckland, New Zealand. Furthermore, their bottles cannot be bought in stores – or anywhere – yet! We were eager to get an exclusive look…
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FIVE x 5 SOLUTIONS INTRODUCES NEW WHISKEY SYSTEMS A new Whiskey Systems product designed for small and startup distilleries Denver, CO – Today, FIVE x 5 Solutions, the leader in operations management software for distilleries, introduced a new, redesigned Whiskey Systems specifically designed to provide the company’s best-in-class solutions to small and startup distilleries at a…
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March is International Women’s Month – so what better month to recognize and celebrate some of the amazing women who have forged their way into the industry (guns blazing) to create some of the most well-known craft spirit brands around? Scroll (and click) through the profiles to read the inspiring stories of the boss ladies…
The TTB: A letter with their name on it in your mailbox is enough to make any distillery owner’s heart skip a beat. If you have a DSP license, the TTB wants to hear from you – whether you’re in production or not. It’s important to cover your ass(ets) with proper tracking, reporting, and filing from the very beginning – or you…
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Missed our Cost Accounting 101 Webinar? Want to make your distillery more efficient and sustainable by implementing a simple practice? Watch our webinar recording and get up to speed with: a) Why it’s important to implement cost accounting in the early stages of your distillery business b) Why WIP is your most valuable asset c)…
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New year, new business goals? With the recent permanency of the Federal Excise Tax reduction, now is the perfect time to take your DSP license (or craft spirits concept) to a full-blown distillery operation.That said, turning a passion for craft spirits into a successful distillery is a giant leap. Luckily, you have us to serve as your trusted resource in helping you get on your feet – and way, way…
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Thinking outside the still: Why distillery management software is a must-have for every distillery, at any stage of life. Thoroughbred Spirits Group has distilling in their blood – generations of it, in fact. It’s a lineage that lends a solid foundation to Scott Shiller and the Thoroughbred team, giving them the experience and expertise to build an industry-leading consulting…
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Getting Started Steve VanderPol, co-founder and distiller at Eastern Kille Distillery, found his love of craft distilling in the same place FIVE x 5 Solutions found its start – Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, in Denver. “I drove past Stranahan’s every day on my way to work and eventually stopped in to take a tour,” Steve recalled…
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Days before the world is turned upside down, FIVE x 5 Solutions’ Global Sales Rep Megan Alexander took a short trip to Long Road Distillers to meet Kyle Van Strien, co-owner and co-founder, and Jordan Muschiana, head distiller, to learn more about their path to distilling, as well as lead a remote tasting with the…
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Before talking to Andrew Rall, founder and distiller at Distillery 031 in Durban, South Africa, we did a quick Google search to figure out the time difference. We caught him at the tail end of his day to get to know the distillery’s journey, the challenges they were faced with starting up, as well as…
Walking into The Whiskey Factory at Detroit City Distillery was completely unlike my last visit two years ago – with more equipment, more barrels, and more people in a beautiful new event space, it was like a completely different distillery. I was excited to hear about what the team had been up to, and what…
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