Spirits of the USA Considering Forsyth Liquor Distillery

Spirits of the USA, maker of "high-octane" 90-proof liquors and a non-alcoholic energy drink is looking to locate a distillery in Forsyth, according to county spokesman Tom Brown.

The Board of Commissioners at its Thursday meeting approved legal advertising required to change the county's Alcohol Ordinance to allow for the licensing of distilleries.


In 2010, Australian transplant Michael Gerard launched Spirits of the USA, the first full line of American-made, hand-crafted premium spirits, all made in the USA, except tequila, according to the press release. Gerard founded the company in 2007.

“We want to take the liquor industry back to its traditional, smaller ways of doing business,” Gerard in the release, “a time when suppliers, proprietors and distributors all worked together—and had fun doing it. That’s why we’re forming relationships with small regional distributors across the country.”

Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, Spirits of the USA's products include:

• Black Widow Gin
• Coyote Vodka
• Coyote Ice Peppermint Vodka
• Coyote Jalapeno Vodka
• Coyote Mango Vodka
• Dead Man’s Dark & Spicy Rum
• Dead Man’s Mango Rum
• Rattlesnake Tequila
• Rattlesnake Jalapeno Tequila

Each is made "in small batches using a craft-distillery approach" with 90-proof formulations, according to the company's website.

Alcohol proof in the United States is defined as twice the percentage of alcohol by volume and measures how much ethanol is contained in an alcoholic beverage. Spirit of the USA's alcoholic products contain 45 percent alcohol by volume.

Straight spirits are usually 40 percent alcohol by volume, or 80 proof, while wine and beer are normally much less than 20 percent alcohol by volume, according to Slate. 

While the company's energy drink, Runner, is available in several states, its liquors are not yet available in Georgia, but sold in a number of stores in Florida, Alabama and other states, according to the website.

Its energy drink, Runner, is sold in stores throughout Georgia, including five in Cumming.

Patch's Thursday and Friday requests for additional information on plans for the proposed distillery have yet to be answered by Gerard.

County commissioners R.J. "Pete" Amos and Cindy Jones Mills and staffers also declined to give additional information, but provided Gerard's contact information.


Tell us what you think in the comments, share your photos and videos, and don’t miss any of the local news you care about—subscribe to Cumming Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.