Today is Craft Distillery Day, and there’s nowhere better than Pennsylvania to find a diverse selection of craft distilleries cooking up an eclectic selection of spirits made from locally grown grains. You can find them in virtually every corner of the state. Here is a list of six that offer unique beverages and tasty treats that will give you a true taste of Pennsylvania.
Barrel 21 – Centre County
An expansion of Otto’s Pub & Brewery in State College, this distillery and fine dining establishment opened in 2015. It features a wide variety of dishes sourced from local farmers and markets, and a lineup of locally sourced spirits and uniquely named cocktails.
barrel21distillery.com
Blackbird Distillery – Jefferson County
Located just outside Brookville in Jefferson County, Blackbird Distillery keeps it old-school with their hand-crafted moonshine made from local corn. They also offer a line of homemade sauces, smoked meats and cheeses, wings, and other goodies.
blackbirddistillery.com
Eight Oaks – Lehigh County
You can find Eight Oaks spirits in stores across the state, including the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia and the Easton Farmers Market, but they also offer food an entertainment in their tasting room near New Tripoli in Lehigh County. They feature a classic American spirit with their Authentic Apple Jack that is distilled from apple cider.
eightoaksdistillers.com
Mason Dixon – Adams County
The whiskey, rum and vodka found at Mason Dixon, the Adams County distillery have an historic backstory. Each bottle is produced — at least partially — from grain grown on A Gettysburg battlefield. Mason Dixon also offers a menu of fresh comfort food inspired by cuisines around the country and sources what ingredients it can from local farms. Some items are even grown in a garden on site.
masondixondistillery.com
Ridge Runner – Fayette County
Opened in 2015, Ridge Runner Distillery in Chalk Hill, PA offers tours of the distillery and a line of spirits including whiskey and flavored moonshine made from corn grown on the property.
ridgerunnerdistillery.com
Social Still – Northampton County
Located inside a 100-year-old bank in Bethlehem, PA, Social Still is a distillery, restaurant and tasting room that offers cocktails and a scratch kitchen with an eclectic menu. Social Still makes a variety of spirits in small batches, including vodka, rum, gin and whiskey and most are made with 90 percent Pennsylvania-grown grains. The whiskeys are the star of the show.
socialstill.com