Artisan distilling in Indiana: It's about brewers, too.

This is what happens when the information comes from the wine lobby.

But seriously, it's worth remembering that (a) the artisan distilling legislation involved lobbying efforts on the part of the Brewers of Indiana Guild (not taking anything away from Ted Huber and Ed Clere), and (b) it allows for brewing companies to have the "same opportunity" to distill as Huber had already. Leaving the beer folks out is telling only half the story, although Van Hoy correctly notes that the oft-heard lament of "we can't buy beer on Sunday" actually is not true, given that Hoosier breweries (and wineries)  can sell off-premise on Sunday.

For Starlight Distillery, it's all about the grain being legal in addition to the grape. "Vodka, gin and whiskey" obviously are grain-based distillates, where previously only fermented grape and fruit juices could be improved through distillation.

I wish them good fortune in expanding the distilling operation. Gin, anyone?

VAN HOY: Antiquated Hoosier ways slow to vanish

By Shea Van Hoy (NT)

Huber’s Starlight Distillery has a nice, shiny still, ready to crank out spirits to its loyal, thirsty customers.

Owner Ted Huber plans to add another one now that a new law is in the books, and that’s good for business and tourism in Southern Indiana.

In short, House Enrolled Act 1293 provides artisan distillers with the same opportunity that small breweries and wineries already had — to bottle their products and to sell them by the glass.