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‘We’re not advocating for the three-tier system to be dismantled, only the playing field to be more level’ – American Craft Spirits Association CEO Emily Pennington speaks to Global Drinks Intel – Part II

Jessica Broadbent
Last updated: 09/10/2026 at 5:06 PM
By Jessica Broadbent
9 October 2026
6 Min Read

‘I don’t believe that small businesses should just be handed success. I’m asking for a level playing field to be able to compete.’


An American flag hanging above four barrels
Credit: Rachel Claire/Pexels

In the second part of Global Drinks Intel’s exclusive interview with the CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, Emily Pennington guides us through the distribution headwinds facing craft distillers in the US. Pennington also reflects on her first six months in the CEO role and what she’d like her legacy at the trade group to look like.

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In the second part of Global Drinks Intel’s exclusive interview with the CEO of the American Craft Spirits Association, Emily Pennington guides us through the distribution headwinds facing craft distillers in the US. Pennington also reflects on her first six months in the CEO role and what she’d like her legacy at the trade group to look like. Head here for the first part of this interview Does the three-tier distribution system work for craft distillers? Not in its current form, no. One of our big advocacy pushes right now is to ask the federal government and the Fe

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Jessica Broadbent
ByJessica Broadbent
Jess joined Global Drinks Intel as deputy editor in January 2026 following a stint as a freelance journalist in Panama. She was previously deputy editor at Just Drinks. She has bylines in other industry titles including The Buyer, Fine Lees and Just Food, and has been a sub-editor at The Daily Mail.
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