The beverage industry is one of constant change and evolution. As more consumers shift their focus toward local, handmade, high-quality beverages, the spirits market is not immune to the demand. As such, the craft spirits segment has made significant strides within the past several years. In fact, according to the Louisville, Ky.-based American Craft Spirits Association’s October 2017 Annual Craft Spirits Economic Briefing, U.S. craft spirits volume grew at an annual rate of 18.5 percent, reaching 5.8 million cases, and sales grew at an annual rate of 25 percent to $3 billion in 2016.
Among the players driving this growing market and making an impact on the overall distilling industry is Evanston, Ill.-based FEW Spirits LLC. Breaking down barriers to become the first alcohol producer in Evanston, a Chicagoland suburb known to many as the birthplace of the Temperance Movement, FEW Spirits has been making its presence known since its founding in 2011.