National Craft Spirits Week
National Craft Spirits Week is a lively celebration of small-batch distillers across the country. Walk into a distillery during National Craft Spirits Week, and the air feels different.
Celebrate artisanal craft spirits with tasting events, distillery tours, and user-generated content campaigns that drive foot traffic and direct-to-consumer sales for small-batch producers.
- Host a virtual or in-person craft spirits tasting night and share tasting notes on social media with the official hashtag
- Partner with local distilleries to offer exclusive limited pours or bottle-labeling experiences during the week
- Create a 'spirit pairing' content series matching craft spirits with seasonal dishes or cocktail recipes
- Feature craft distillery founder stories and production transparency to build brand loyalty and community support
Notable campaigns6
- Barr Hill Gin (Caledonia Spirits) (2024 (5th year)): Launched 'Bee's Knees Week' initiative partnering with bars/restaurants, inviting consumers to post honeyed cocktail photos with hashtag #beeskneesweek to plant pollinator habitat—connects craft storytelling to social cause.
- Hudson Whiskey (2021): Created consumer contest during brand rebrand in June 2021, used Instagram social submission format (follow, tag, hashtag, share personal story) to engage city-dwelling whiskey lovers during peak season.
- Westward Whiskey (2019-present): Launched 'Westward Whiskey Club' with four annual Benefit Barrel releases; used branded newsletter, tasting rooms, and direct member engagement; 100% of proceeds support community causes in Oregon/California.
- Drake's Organic Spirits (2018-present): Positioned all certifications (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Non-GMO, Kosher, USDA Organic) in every communication asset—web, social, POS—as core brand identity; created consumer-facing proof of craft authenticity.
- Fireball (2024-present): Ongoing Friday hashtag campaign (#FireballFriday equivalent) where fans share creative ways they enjoy the whiskey using branded hashtag; top submissions featured weekly on brand Instagram—drives continuous UGC engagement.
- Passoã (Lucas Bols) (2026): Launched global 'Taste the Sunset' campaign for 40th anniversary with 40+ flagship bar partnerships, Sunset Tracker tool on website (alerts consumers 2 hours before sunset + directs to bars), and year-round activations.
Campaign ideas8
- Host distillery open houses & tastings: Invite consumers to visit, meet the makers, learn about production methods, and try exclusive bottlings—create a sign-up sheet for email nurture.
- Partner with local bars/restaurants for exclusive cocktail collaborations: Feature your craft spirit in signature drinks with local establishments to drive cross-promotion and foot traffic.
- Run UGC hashtag campaign (#MyCraftSpiritStory or similar): Encourage customers to share photos of their favorite craft spirit moments with behind-the-scenes brand storytelling for authentic content.
- Launch limited-edition week-specific release: Drop a special bottling or collaboration available only during the week to create urgency and drive repeat visits to retail/online.
- Sponsor local food/music/mixology events: Align with events in your region to reach drinking consumers in celebratory moments when they're already exploring new experiences.
- Create micro-influencer tasting kit partnerships: Send curated spirit + pairing kits to 10-20 niche influencers in your region with creative brief to drive awareness and discount codes.
- Develop 'Meet the Master Distiller' video series: Release short-form content showing production process, sourcing philosophy, flavor tasting notes—post on TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube.
- Run trade tastings with restaurant/bar staff: Host sommelier/bartender education events to ensure on-premise staff can speak authentically to craft vs. mass-produced spirits.
Social angles6
- From 'mass-produced' to 'made with intention'—this week we're celebrating the small distilleries pouring their hearts into every bottle. Which craft spirit tells your story? #NationalCraftSpiritsWeek #SupportLocal
- Taste the difference: 7 generations of distilling know-how vs. a factory formula. Craft spirits made the old-fashioned way, with ingredients we actually know. #CraftSpiritsWeek #TransparencyMatters
- Find your local. Meet your maker. Try something real. National Craft Spirits Week is your invitation to experience spirits the way they were meant to be discovered. #CraftSpiritsWeek #LocalLove
- A sip of authenticity: Craft distillers use smaller batches, local sourcing, and traditional methods. This week, taste what 'handcrafted' actually means. #CraftSpiritsWeek #Quality
- Friday night > Same old bottle. National Craft Spirits Week: the week your happy hour gets an upgrade. DM for distillery recs near you. #ExploreMore #CraftSpiritsWeek
- Behind every label is a story: the farmer, the recipe, the obsession with perfection. Craft Spirits Week celebrates the makers. #CraftSpiritsWeek #Storytelling
Ad copy starters5
“Forget what you know about spirits. Taste craft. | This week: discover the distillery around the corner.”
“One bottle. One distillery. Pure intention. Welcome to National Craft Spirits Week.”
“The world's best spirits don't come from the world's biggest brands. They come from here. #SupportCraft”
“Quality over quantity. Always. National Craft Spirits Week: meet the makers.”
“Same old happy hour? We thought so. Try something made to matter, not made in bulk.”
National Craft Spirits Week grew from a passion for small-batch distilling. Founders sought a way to celebrate local spirit makers.
Industry groups teamed up to promote artisanal whiskey, gin, rum, and more. It began to highlight creativity and transparency in distilling. Craft lovers welcomed the idea with enthusiasm.
The movement started recently, not centuries ago. A key moment came in 2019. That year, Nicholas Strauser, Connie Strauser, and Brandy Strauser‑Sobanski launched a dedicated day for craft spirits.
They owned N Scott Distillery in Las Vegas. Their first bottle release fell on May 22, 2017. That date became the anchor for the celebration.
This effort neatly tied a personal milestone to community purpose. Organizers wanted recognition for small producers. They framed a week filled with events and stories. It wasn’t just marketing—it was a movement. Enthusiasts now raise glasses to creativity and heart.
The week quickly found a place on the calendar. Craft distillers, bars, and fans embraced its spirit. Tasting events, tours, and pairings grew popular annually. Participants share their love via events and online. That sense of community fuels the celebration.
Now, each year brings fresh energy to craft spirits. The week draws attention to small makers and unique flavors. It helps these producers stand out from big brands.
Friends gather, raise glasses, and support local distillers. The shared focus kept the movement alive.
Host a tasting night
Set up small glasses with different craft-distilled spirits. Invite friends to sample and share impressions. Compare flavors and vote on favorites. Keep the setting relaxed, with soft lighting and snacks that won’t overpower the drinks. Print tasting cards so everyone can jot down what they notice.
Elevate your mixology
Choose a craft spirit as a base and craft a signature cocktail. Try bold twists using local mixers or herbs. Serve with a name that tells its story. Experiment with different garnishes or glassware to change the mood. Let each drink reflect the season or the crowd.
Visit a local distillery
Drop by a nearby craft distillery. Take a tour, meet the distillers, and taste fresh-from-the-still spirits. Many sites offer special events or limited pours during the week. Ask questions about how each bottle is made. Some even let you label your own to take home.
Pair with a meal
Match each spirit to a specific dish. Think smoky whiskey with barbecued meat or zesty gin with citrus salad. Let flavors bring out the best in each other. You don’t need a full dinner—small bites work just fine. Choose simple foods that don’t hide the drink’s personality.
Share your experience
Buy a bottle you love and post a story or photo online. Use the official hashtag to support small distillers. Your post can help others find hidden craft gems. Tag the makers to give them direct credit. A quick shoutout could boost their reach far beyond your feed.