The Pennsylvania Spirits revolution is in full swing. Pennsylvania is coming into its own again as a distilling state producing world renowned spirits. Combine that with some of the best bartenders in the country making their own signature cocktails from these PA spirits and you have the Pennsylvania Spirits Convention.
The Pennsylvania Spirits Convention is the first and largest event of its kind. It pays respect not only to Pennsylvania’s legendary distilling past, but also to its future. Every spirit at the event is made in Pennsylvania. Guests will be amazed at the quality and selection that is arising from the Pennsylvania talented distillers.
This grand event comes to Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park on March 23rd. It will be host over 110 craft spirits, 40 specialty cocktails, entertaining and educational discussion forums, artisans, local farmers and grain producers, local businesses and craftspeople, and more! Indulge in the luxury of the evening!
“The magnitude of the response across our state by distillers and all related industries has been phenomenal. There has never been an opportunity to bring so much of the craft distilleries in our state together in one place,” said Laura Fields of the Delaware Valley Fields Foundation, the non-profit organization responsible for organizing the event. There are nearly 70 distilleries in the state of Pennsylvania today and almost every craft distillery in the state over a year old will be there! Our guests will be amidst whiskeys, gins, brandies, vodkas, rums, barrel finished spirits, cordials, and more…
Helping thrill the taste buds are bartenders from the Philadelphia chapter of the US Bartenders Guild. With national acclaim, these bartenders will be spinning their magic using the best Pennsylvania spirts combined with their creativity and skill.
The growing list of distilleries is available at PASpiritsConvention.com. They are Boyd and Blair(Pittsburgh), New Liberty Distillery and Kinsey Whiskeys(Philadelphia), Wigle Whiskey(Pittsburgh), Ridge Runner Distillery(Chalkhill), Blue Bird Distilling(Phoenixville), Boardroom Spirits(Landsdale), Hidden Still Spirits(Lebanon), Manatawny Still Works(Pottstown), Liberty Pole Spirits(Washington), Stoll and Wolfe Distillery(Lititz), Barrel 21 Distillery(State College), Pollyodd(Philadelphia), Big Spring Spirits(Bellefonte), CJ Spirits(Kane), Old Republic Distillery(York), Brandywine Branch Distillers(Elverson) , Federal Distilling/Stateside Urbancraft Vodka(Philadelphia), Red Brick Craft Distillery(Philadelphia), Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery(Pittsburgh), Philadelphia Distilling(Philadelphia), W.P.Palmer Distilling Co.(Manayunk), Social Still(Bethlehem), Hewn Spirits(Pipersville), Five Saints Distilling(Norristown), Kilamanjaro Distillery(Allentown), Thistle Finch Distillery(Lancaster), County Seat Spirits(Allentown), Dad’s Hat Rye(Bristol), Rowhouse Spirits(Philadelphia) and More!
The Grand Tasting Event will begin in the Hall of Fame Club at Citizens Bank Park at 5:30PM for VIP ticket holders, and 6:30PM for general admission. There will be entertainment from Philadelphia’s famous Mummer percussion and brass musicians at the ballpark’s entrance with mobile cigar lounge out front. Indoors, you’ll browse two branching corridors lined with tastings, food pairings, book signings, craft vendors, memorabilia, and opportunities to meet people behind the local grain to glass movement. Speak with farmers that grow the grain that makes the spirits, meet the craftsmen that build the barrels and tools and tanks that create the final product and learn all about the proud history of Pennsylvania’s distilling past.
“We’re very proud to be able to host some of the most knowledgeable and impressive men and women spirits experts in our state. From historians to the local distiller that helped launch the movement here, we’re excited to educate minds and palates,” said Ms. Fields.
Discussion forums include “The History of Rye Whiskey in Pennsylvania: The Birth of an American Spirit” (with Lew Bryson, Sam Komlenic, Jack Sullivan and John Lipman), “A Whiskey and Its Grains”– hosted by Moonshine University’s Tyler Gomez-Basauri, “A Modern History of Pennsylvania Distilling” with PA Craft Pioneer Rob Cassell, “Let’s Get Crafty: The Importance of Innovation at Wigle Whiskey” with Allison Burns and Michael Foglia, and our VIP Master Tasting- “The Sensual Side of Spirits: Developing Your Nosing Skills and Appreciation of the Complexity of Craft” w/ Riannon Walsh of Brandywine Branch Distillery.
PA-centric highlights include a display of PA distilling history West Overton Museum, Hall-Woolford Tank Company (Philadelphia based fermentation and water tank supplier since 1854), John Stortz and Son (making cooper’s tools since 1853) and a local cooper from Anthony Barrel Company (making barrels from Pennsylvania grown white oak in Philadelphia). Our own PA native whiskey expert, Lew Bryson, will be signing books during the grand tasting event. Grab a cigar out on Smoker Zone’s Ashton Cigar Patio or pair your cocktail with a bite to eat. Browse the craft artisan tables and our luxury lounge complete with straight razor shaves, shoe shines, hand-made items, leather shoes, hats, accessories, etc. There is no end to the exiting opportunities awaiting every guest at this event!
