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…
Avoiding Common COLA Submission Pitfalls: A Guide for US Distillers
If you’ve ever had a Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) rejected by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), you know how frustrating it can be. From seemingly minor formatting errors to incomplete statements of composition, label approvals can turn into bottlenecks that delay production and derail launches. With TTB staffing still stretched…
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Dispelling Misconceptions about Methanol, Heads, Boiling Points and Miscibility
While consulting for FIVE x 5, I’ve been lucky enough to meet distillers from all walks of life, and at all stages of the learning process. One of the appealing things about this industry is that you can always learn more – I’ve been doing it since 2018 and I still learn something new most…
Gauging of Obscured Spirits by Weight
This is an advanced-level article that presumes working knowledge of gauging and proofing terms and methodologies. It includes excerpts from an article entitled Proofing and Gauging that I wrote for Craft Spirits Magazine, as well as presentations I’ve given over the years. If you have product on hand that has 6g/Liter or more of dissolved…
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3 Most Common Accidental TTB Violations
As we wrap up a dynamic 2024, it’s wise to take a moment to reflect on some common TTB audit findings. Avoiding these pitfalls can save you significant time and expense – and you’re required to follow all the regulations, anyway! 1. Incomplete Gauge Records TTB regulations require you to gauge your spirit at various…
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3 Ways You’re At Risk Without Distillery Management Software
Recordkeeping As a consultant for distilled spirits, I like to use an Iceberg metaphor to describe your compliance requirements. The tip of the iceberg represents monthly Reports of Operations – these require you to transmit a summary of your operations each month. The bulk of the iceberg lies below the surface, less visible: it represents…
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What Does Fx5 Consulting Do, Anyway?
As a Consultant, I’m often asked what exactly I have to offer. My gut feeling is to say: “everything!”, but my therapist would probably push back on that. Joking aside, I love this question because it has many different answers – I’m fortunate enough to work with nano-distilleries that produce 10 proof gallons per year…
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Three Loopholes/Gimmes From the TTB You Are Missing Out On
TTB regulations are stiff for the most part, but if you are a careful student, you can find some regulatory “freebies” that can save you significant amounts of time and money. Here, we’ll cover three of the most important ones. 1) You Don’t Have to Take Physical Inventory of Barrels This one’s a bit tricky because…
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Are you reporting your Imported Spirit (e.g. Agave, Tequila, Irish Whiskey) correctly?
Regulations require you to track and report your bulk Imported Spirit separately from your domestic spirit. This applies to spirit held in the Storage liquid account as well as the Processing account. We’ll cover the scenarios and ‘gotchas’ so that you can stay on TTB’s good side. And, be aware that we’re not going to…
You Can’t Produce Non-Spirits Products at a DSP
It is common for distilleries to make products like mixers, soda, syrups, shrubs and more. Folks that are in Maple Syrup country naturally want to use an empty bourbon barrel to finish some maple syrup; same goes for distillers in bee country with honey. All of these ideas are wonderful, but come with a giant…
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Can you “Keg” Ready-to-Drink Cocktails at a Distilled Spirits Plant?
A frequent question from DSPs is how do I record the production and sale/shipment of ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails in Keg format (e.g. sixtel, corny keg, beer kegs, etc)? The short answer: in the United States, you cannot. The background is usually the same: a cocktail in the Tasting Room becomes popular and turns into a…
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To Sell or Not to Sell: Setting Your Distillery Up for Success
A good buyer will provide capital for growth — a great one will work with you to ensure that both the business and its unique culture thrive.
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New Formulation Checklist
Are you working on a new formulation? Here’s a few common ‘gotchas’ to watch out for: Does this seem daunting? If you’d like help with Formula requirements, COLAs/Labels, or any other DSP operations we’re here to help. Reach out here to schedule time on my calendar and take your operations to the next level. Tyler…
Inventory Management -Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask
Inventory Management is one of those tasks that isn’t hugely rewarding while you’re doing it, but the benefits from good record-keeping are profound. Managing the cycle of raw materials, dry goods and finished products will allow your business to grow and react to changes. In today’s world of disrupted supply chains, staying on top of…
Proofing and Gauging 101
Before we dive into the topic of proofing and gauging, it’s useful to establish some background and definitions; while they may be familiar to you as experienced distillers, these will form the vocabulary for this article. These definitions and regulations primarily apply to United States-based producers, though there are comparable terms and guidelines in most…
How to Choose the Right Equipment for Your DSP
Selecting the right equipment for your new DSP is a challenge. Even if you have the budget to purchase everything brand new, many of the items you need have long lead-times and require professional installation. Plus, everything you buy must work together. What is a new distillery to do? The best option is to seek…
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