Up until prohibition, Pennsylvania was at the heart of American Rye whiskey production. Pennsylvania grew the grains, distilled the spirits and distributed whiskey to the entire nation. Today, there is an American whiskey renaissance happening, and once again, Pennsylvania is taking center stage.
Whiskey Comes Home: American Whiskey Convention (PRNewsFoto/Delaware Valley Fields Foundation)
On March 25th, Philadelphia is hosting the country’s most exciting distilleries as they highlight their best bourbons and American whiskeys. Organized by the Delaware Valley Fields Foundation, the American Whiskey Convention will draw distillers from all over the country to showcase their bourbons and American whiskeys. Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, in Philadelphia PA is the backdrop for this celebration of American whiskey. Working together with farmers and other local non-profits, the Foundation hopes to bring attention to the vital role of small farming in their respectiver communities. (Purchase tickets here.)
The event is more than a grand tasting. On hand will be local farmers and malt houses to talk about the role they play in the production of whiskey. Artisans will demonstrate their whiskey-related creations. Master distillers Herman Mihalich, of Dad’s Hat and Dave Pickerell, the man behind Whistle Pig and many others, will host discussion classes for whiskey connoisseurs. Sarah Milne, of Heaven Hill, will hosts a Whiskey 101 tasting for those who are new to whiskey. Mixologists from TwistedTail will be teaching attendees how to make great whiskey cocktails. The on-site Victory Special Order Lounge will highlight whiskeys not found on PA liquor store shelves.
Herman Mihalich is both founder and distiller of Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey. Originally from Monessen, Pennsylvania, Miihalich’s ’s family roots led him to establish Mountain Laurel Spirits in Bristol back in 2011. He has led the way in reviving Pennsylvania’s rich rye whiskey heritage with straight rye whiskeys that have recreated a true Pennsylvania style that had disappeared for over two decades. All of their grain is locally sourced and he has been instrumental in supporting rye farming and grain development in Pennsylvania.
Dave Pickerell nicknamed as the “Johnny Appleseed” of the American craft whiskey movement. After 14 years as master distiller with Makers Mark, Pickerell has become a consultant for many small craft distilleries. He has had a hand in establishing award winning American whiskey brands such as Whistle Pig, Hillrock Estates, Corsair, and even George Washington’s Rye Whiskey, which was recreated using 18th century techniques at the newly restored Mt. Vernon distillery. He is a chemist, an engineer, an educator and a fountain of knowledge for the American whiskey industry.
“We’ve been fortunate to work with so many great partners – the distillers themselves, the Phillies, Sugarhouse Casino, Victory Motorcycles, PLCB and so many more. It has been a collaborative effort to create this spectacular event that puts Pennsylvania and Philadelphia back at the center of the American Whiskey map,” Fields continues.
Whiskey 101
This is a class designed for the whiskey newcomer. Its a great starting point for anyone interested in whiskeys and bourbons. Learn the differences between different types of whiskey. Learn how its made, how to smell and how to taste it. This class is a great introduction for anyone who wants to learn more about whiskey but didn’t now where to start.
VICTORY SPECIAL ORDER & BULLEIT WOODY LUXURY LOUNGES
Try whiskeys and bourbons not available on PA Wine & Spirits store shelves at the Victory Motorcycle Special Order Lounge. These special selections won’t be anywhere else on the floor. Equally special are the Victory Motorcycles on display in the lounge. See the latest and greatest from American-made Victory.
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Woody trailer
Live the whiskey lifestyle at the Woody Lifestyle Lounge. Tailgating will never be the same now that the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Woody-Tailgate Trailer is on the scene. Designed by interior designer Brad Ford, it’s impressive on the outside, but what’s on the inside truly astounds: sleek leather furnishings and details from Moore & Giles, rich wood finishings (handcrafted from reclaimed Bulleit Bourbon casks), elegant glassware, and a top-notch entertainment system, including a flat-screen TV, Blu-ray Disc™ player, and a state-of-the-art sound system, plus a supply of Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye. You park, open the hatch, and slide out the bar—cocktails anyone?
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Woody trailer (detail)
This luxury lounges features several impressive finds. Find your look with the amazing people at the Goorin Brothers Hat Shop. Discover everything it has to offer.
Twisted Tail Cocktail Demonstrations
Watch and learn from the master craftsmen of Twisted Tail as they demonstrate how to make great whiskey cocktails. These master craftsmen know their way around whiskey. And after learning their secrets, you will too.
There will be 4 sessions open to all attendees. Demonstrations will feature either a classic cocktail recipe or a more adventurous cocktail excursion. In the classic cocktail demonstration, the craftsmen show you how to balance the flavor profiles to make the cocktail the way it was intended to be made. In the adventure sessions, watch as the craftsmen display their talent and expertise creating a special cocktail combination just for the American Whiskey Convention. You’ll learn some great tips, get to taste some wonderful creations and leave with secret cocktail making powers. For more information about the Twisted Tail Restaurant go to http://www.thetwistedtail.com/
“We are very excited to be able to host the American Whiskey Convention. We have put together a whiskey event for people who enjoy whiskey. I wanted an event that highlights the creativity happening in American whiskey right now, everything from farming, distilling and the artisans who draw their inspiration from the booming whiskey scene. There is so much going on and American Whiskey deserves to have the spotlight to itself,” says Laura Fields, CEO and founder of Delaware Valley Fields Foundation.
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