“It was the keg, not the bottle that disappeared during prohibition, the heyday of the bootlegger.”– Hugh J. McMackin, Secretary of the National Wholesale Wine and Liquor Dealers’ Association (July […]
The Whiskey Trust
When it comes to the history of American whiskey, there is no more important topic than that of the Whiskey Trust. In fact, American whiskey history should probably be divided […]
1917-1920. The Prelude to Prohibition
There is no doubt that Prohibition altered the American liquor industry in innumerable ways. The 18th amendment may have gone into effect in 1920, but the passage of the National […]
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 […]
MGP Ingredients- The Distillery Prohibition Did Not Destroy
If you’re tasting a lot of whiskeys and considering where they come from, you’ll have already become familiar with MGP (Midwest Grain Products) Ingredients. In most cases, you’ll have read […]
The Cost of Prohibition for Pennsylvania
While it is slowly becoming common knowledge that Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American whiskey, I’m often asked, ”Why is Pennsylvania only now showing signs of distilling life again?” The […]
Learning From History
I strongly believe that those of us that don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. That goes for ourselves and our nation. The only amendment to the Constitution […]
Is Beer More Varied Than Whiskey?
Last night I found myself in defense of whiskey! A conversation arose about how much variety exists in whiskey and someone said, ”Beer is much more varied than whiskey…” I […]
Whiskey and Nascar
I’m from the northeast and was not really aware of Nascar until my teenage years because it just wasn’t really watched by anyone I knew. I couldn’t understand what made […]
Happy Repeal Day!
Happy Repeal Day! On December 5th, 1933, the 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed and the “Great Experiment” of Prohibition was brought to an end. (The Amendment […]