Over the past decade, the craft distilling movement has exploded to include over 1800 small-batch distillers in the United States, some 250 in the UK, and nearly 200 in Canada. Yet despite this apparent growth, craft distilling has not managed to take a commanding piece of the beverage alcohol market share.

Successfully making beverage alcohol takes more than passion. It demands a solid working knowledge of the science that underpins raw material selection, water chemistry adjustments, yeast microbiology, the fermentation cycle, the physics of fractional distillation, and the ageing reactions that occur in an oak cask. Once a craft beverage alcohol has been created, it must successfully be marketed. The subtle strategic nuances of the marketing process are almost as complex as the science of making the alcohol itself.

This 5th edition of Field to Flask represents the culmination of the author’s years of practical brewing and distilling experience combined with his considerable educational knowledge. This book is designed both for entrepreneurs contemplating the launch of a craft distilling business and for craft distillers to get better at what they do.

As you turn the pages of this book, you will be taken on a journey that briefly looks at the history of alcohol and then goes on to deeply examine the science of raw materials, water, yeast, fermentation, distillation, oak ageing, and proofing. You will also learn the legal definitions of various spirit types, the legislation that affects the industry, and about the different licenses required. You will gain a solid understanding of the equipment needed to make beverage alcohol and the science of marketing beverage alcohol products. The book wraps up with a series of recipes to jump start your product development

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Whether you are an existing craft distiller looking to gain market share or an entrepreneur thinking about launching a craft distillery, this book is designed for you.