Get Involved with Policy & Advocacy for Distilled Spirits

The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) is the leading national trade association for distilled spirits producers, importers, and marketers in the United States. DISCUS serves as distillers’ advocate on legislative, regulatory and public affairs issues impacting the spirits industry at the local, state, federal and international levels.

However, the distilled spirits industry faces legislative and regulatory challenges that impact responsible adult consumers, including punitive taxes, international trade barriers and tariffs, and restrictions on consumer convenience.

We’re eager to partner with a growing number of advocates to address these issues. Here are a few ways you can join the fight:

Join Spirits United

Spirits United is an online community of grassroots advocates united with a common goal to ensure adult consumers can enjoy distilled spirits where they want, how they want, and when they want, responsibly. Spirits United brings together professionals in the distilled spirits industry, supply chain and industry partners, bartenders, mixologists, and customers to participate in the democratic process and advocate for the spirits sector.

You can join Spirits United by visiting SpiritsUnited.org! United, we can secure a more modern and accessible consumer market for the distilled spirits industry.

If you have any questions about Spirits United or want to engage your employees, friends, family, or colleagues in Spirits United, please don’t hesitate to contact Colleen Terry, Director of Grassroots, at [email protected].

Participate in the Public Policy Conference

DISCUS and the American Craft Spirits Association host an annual Public Policy Conference.  Distillers from across the country gather together to talk to lawmakers about  issues affecting their businesses.  If you have questions about the 2022 Public Policy Conference, please reach out to Jessica Brady, Senior Director of Federal Government Relations, at [email protected].

Invite your Members of Congress to Visit Your Distillery

When Members of Congress aren’t in Washington, D.C., they are visiting businesses in their district or state to better understand how the decisions they make on Capitol Hill affect their constituents. Hosting a member of Congress for a tour of your distillery is a great way for them to learn firsthand how distilleries operate, your businesses’ contribution to the community, and how your business is impacted by certain legislation or regulations.

Inviting a member of Congress to visit is a straightforward process with this pre-drafted invitation: Click here to customize and send an invite to your Members of Congress with just a click of a button and in under five minutes!

When you send the invitation, DISCUS staff will be notified and will follow up with your Member of Congress’s staff to get the visit scheduled. We will be in touch with you about scheduling, assist in managing logistics for the site visit, and DISCUS staff will support the visit through their attendance.