Pre-Prohibition Distillers of Pennsylvania
I have spent the last few years researching and cataloging information on nearly 200 distilleries that produced rye whiskey across Pennsylvania before 1920. The information about Pennsylvania’s distilling history along with the traditions that established Pennsylvania as the leader in American rye whiskey production has been lost to generations of Pennsylvanians, not to mention the many new whiskey drinkers just learning about our country’s distilling heritage. I am making my best effort to reopen the history book of Pennsylvania rye whiskey and bring these distilleries back into the conversation. Bourbon is a whiskey that began its introduction to American drinkers in the early 1800s, joining the rye whiskey that had already been sitting comfortably...
June Whiskey Share- RYE!!!
This month, let’s focus on RYE!!! The weather is beautiful and the temperatures are back into the 70’s. Many people say that whisky is a cold weather drink, but I disagree. Let’s share our RYE whiskeys and enjoy the diverse flavor profiles that come from the oldest style of American Whiskey! Bring a bottle of your own whiskey from your collection and share! Anyone that brings a bottle is welcome to taste any of the whiskeys on the table. Snacks and chocolates, too! I will always bring a few of my own for sharing, as well. *Anyone that’s been to our tastings knows that the bottles from my collection are always for sharing:) Difficult to decide, but I chose the following for tomorrow- Black Maple Hill Rye Whiskey Whistle Pig Farm...
Meadow Brook Farms in Lehigh County
“To be interested in food and not food production is clearly absurd.” -Wendell Berry I believe the same can be said of whiskey and grain production. I had an opportunity to meet with Nevada Mease, a young, entrepreneurial Lehigh Valley farmer back in September, 2016. I was incredibly impressed with the farm and all the efforts on behalf of Meadow Brook Farms to embrace new, organic practices in their farming. The farm itself is beautiful and nestled into wooded acreage along the outskirts of the property. It’s built into the side of a hill with the barn and storage facilities higher up above the stone farm house. Animals were grazing in the fields, and Nevada was making plans to get his winter crops laid down in the fields. Meadow Brook Farm is one...
Bottled in Bond Whiskey Tasting
This event is only available to members until Monday. Hope to see you there! Join us at Bowman’s Tavern for an in-depth look at what makes “Bottled in Bond” so desirable on a whiskey label. Find out why we are living in the greatest era for whiskey production and how this label distinction helped bring about a whiskey renaissance. In 1897, the United States Congress passed the Bottled in Bond Act. It was in response to the widespread adulteration of whiskey that had begun to compromise the reputation of the quality and safety of American whiskey. Why was it necessary? Who were the men that pushed Congress for our first consumer protection law? Why is this label distinction important almost 120 years later? These whiskeys are the best value whiskeys on the...
Not All Ryes Are Created Equal…
Watch yourself here with your rye whiskey purchases. Though rye whiskey is similar to bourbon (at least 51% rye -instead of 51% corn as bourbon must be- aged in new,charred oak barrels, distilled at no more than 160 proof, at least 80 proof in the bottle and entered into barrels at 125proof), it does NOT hold the same restrictions about adding caramel coloring or additives. Bourbon is “America’s spirit” (In 1964, Congress declared bourbon an official product of the U.S.), but rye, sadly, does not hold that distinction. It can be made elsewhere and with much less attention to its integrity. Though rules about rye can be more lax than those on bourbon, if the product is a STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY, than all the rules apply. No colorings or flavorings...