StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/36378
they’d just sampled.” Since the law changed in 2008, more than two dozen new distilleries have opened in Oregon. One of those was Immortal Spirits in Medford, which was started by two home- brewing friends who fabricate their own gear and credit the Oregon culture with their success. “The sub-culture in this state really supports local products, even outside of the liquor industry,” says Jesse Gallagher, co-owner of Immortal. “Restaurants and individuals go out of their way to “The commission sees the craft distilling industry as a win-win for the state, consumers and for the distillers.” — Jim Dodge, support local food and other products in general, so you have companies that may not be ready for glob- al distribution, but can be successful locally because the people of Oregon are so supportive.” That spirit of supporting local businesses also extends to the OLCC, which has dedicated part of its website to helping craft distillers and publishes a guide called “Manufacturing and Wholesaling Distilled Spirits in Oregon.” It walks would-be distillers through the process of getting federal and state approvals, as well as marketing and promotional strategies. “Part of the commission’s obligation to the state is to help Oregon industry, and we have influence over 12 StateWays s www.stateways.com s July/August 2011 what happens in the spirits industry in our state,” Dodge says. “We do a lot of edu- cation these days.” When Immortal applied for its permit in 2009, Gallagher was able to go to an OLCC satellite office and speak to someone face-to-face about getting licensed. “The representative was very supportive and excited because I was the first distillery in Medford,” he says. “We have a great, constructive relationship with the commis- sion. As I’m getting further into the distribution phase, they’re readily available and it’s clear they want to see the locals succeed.” A few years ago, Oregon’s warehouse was expand- ed so the commission could carry 1800 distilled spirits (versus 850 previously). Of those SKU’s, 240 are cur- rently from craft distillers. Dodge says that it’s a large portion of their product mix, but not a large volume. However, since most craft spirits tend to be premium or super-premium, most retail locations can carry fewer bottles and give them more time to develop a customer base. The retail sales agents try to allow local prod- ucts entry into the markets, but the distillers still have to convince them their product will sell over time. Dodge says the commission’s goal is to operate a free market that allows products to gain access to stores, but have to prove themselves to remain in the market. “Ultimately these products bring in a higher prof- it margin to the state, and they’re satisfying consumers who are looking for something different, not just the same old product,” he says. “We see it as a win-win for the state, consumers and for the distillers.” SW Immortal Spirits & Distilling Company Distillery: Medford, OR Features: Tasting room, retail store Founded: October 2009 Product Lines: Absinthe, Rum, Pear brandy Peach brandy, White whiskey Or egon Liquor Contr Pur chasing manager , ol Commission