Michigan’s Coppercraft Distillery
just announced the launch of four new ready-to-drink (RTDs) canned cocktails, bringing the company’s pre-made portfolio to seven premium drinks.
New to the lineup are Black Cherry Whiskey, Iced Tea & Lemonade, Moscow Mule, and Rum Punch. Each of the new RTDs clocks in at an above average 10% ABV per can.
Coppercraft’s cocktails are available at select retailers throughout Michigan, and at the distillery’s tasting rooms in Holland and Saugatuck. You can also enjoy them at Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball team. The company signed a 3-year partnership deal with the Tigers in 2019.
Coppercraft is a pioneer in the pre-packaged RTD space. In 2018, it became the first distillery in the state of Michigan to produce and sell its own canned cocktails.
“These premium canned cocktails meet the demand of an ever-growing industry,” said Ali Anderson, national brand manager for Coppercraft Distillery.
“And they also allow our production team to flex their creative muscles and explore new ways to bring artfully crafted spirits to everyone. We’re excited to bring people four new flavors they can add to their coolers this summer.”
The new cocktail flavors join the original lineup of Gin & Tonic, the vodka based Pink Bubbles, and Whiskey Lemonade.
The Holland, Michigan based Coppercraft was founded in 2012. The highly acclaimed distillery specializes in small batch, craft spirits.
“Our whiskeys are heavily aged with strong oaky flavors like tobacco, cinnamon, toasted nuts, and toffee,” the company boasts on its website.
“Our gin and vodka are clear-cut, bright, and fresh.Utilizing the cognac technique, each of our products explore the unique effects of different distillation methods, barrels, and aging environments. We use all of that distinction to produce intentionally crafted premium spirits.”
Although the distillery may be relatively young, the company has come into its own rather quickly. In 2018, it received the title of “Michigan Distillery of the Year” at the New York International Spirits Competition. In 2019, the Detroit Metro Times named them the “Best Michigan Whiskey.”
Michigan is a State to Watch
Will we see stronger cocktails from Coppercraft soon? Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently signed a package of new laws that will allow the state’s distilleries to sell stronger canned cocktails.
While the law previously capped ABV at 10%, starting in August distilleries will now be able to sell RTDs as strong as 13.5% ABV. The new law also decreases the tax burden on the consumer from 48 cents per liter to 30 cents per liter.
“This is a great example of bipartisan legislation that will create jobs and help our small businesses grow, and shows what we can do when we work together,” Whitmer said in a news release announcing the changes.
“Distillers are a growing industry in Michigan, and these bills make it easier for distillers to distribute their products.”
The package of laws were meant to help distilleries and other small businesses struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdowns. As the face of the industry suddenly changed and sales shifted from on-premise to off-site, producing a spirit-based, RTD canned cocktail is a great way to boost sluggish sales.
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