Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
How can small UK distillers effectively advocate for government duty relief similar to small brewers' relief?
Members emphasize that despite years of lobbying via organizations like the WSTA, securing small distiller duty relief has proven extremely difficult. The movement lacks the parity small brewers already enjoy, putting craft distillers at a structural disadvantage, particularly during duty change periods when larger producers can prepay duty on stockpiled inventory using capital reserves. **Key advocacy channels and tactics:** - **WSTA (Wine & Spirit Trade Association)** — the primary trade body members have been lobbying through; their homepage hosts example letters, government contacts, and press releases to support campaigns - **Direct MP engagement** — members recommend writing to or securing face-to-face meetings with local MPs rather than social media campaigns; the collective here spans dozens of constituencies, offering multiple entry points - **Coordinated letter campaign** — draft a template letter with quantifiable comparables and facts (e.g., small brewers' relief thresholds, disadvantages of small vs. large producers), then circulate for mass sign-off; one member proposed a DocuSign petition targeting 200+ signatures from the ~350 UK craft distillers - **Parliamentary champion strategy** — identify an MP with weight on the benches who is passionate about the issue, build internal support among other MPs contacted, then bring the case to Commons debate - **International precedent** — Australia's craft distillers secured $100k excise-free threshold (later raised to $350k, roughly paralleling small brewers' relief), enabling 400+ craft distillers to operate viably; using this as a policy template strengthens the UK case **Key comparables and facts to include in advocacy:** - Small brewers' relief exists; small distillers have none (parity argument) - Duty-change lead times benefit large producers with cash reserves; small producers cannot prepay or build stock competitively - Proposed Australian threshold model: no excise on first $1M or 12,000 bottles sold; $30/bottle above that **Caveats:** Members express significant frustration, with one noting "pissing in the wind" — five years of parliamentary visits and channels have yielded no government response. There is skepticism about short-term success without a change of government.
Which organizations and influencers in the alcohol-free and recovery advocacy space are worth partnering with?
Members work with several established organizations and influencers in the no/low alcohol space. **Club Soda** — a recognized advocacy organization in the alcohol-free space; members can request an introduction to Laura. **Alcohol Change UK (ACUK)** — the charity behind the Dry January campaign and a major player in alcohol awareness; they hold the trademark to "Dry January" and actively enforce it, so avoid using that term in marketing without permission. Members note they are strict about trademark protection. Several members report knowing micro-influencers active in the alcohol-free space and are willing to make introductions. When partnering, be aware that established campaigns like Dry January are trademark-protected and the organizations behind them take enforcement seriously — using their branded terms in advertising without permission can result in cease-and-desist communications.