In our modern-day culture, craft distilleries have become staples, offering tasting opportunities for a unique night out. So it’s hard to imagine a time when battles and death sentences surrounded the production and sales of these spirits, particularly whiskey.
But that was the situation in Western Pennsylvania during the 1790s, which saw the historic Whiskey Rebellion. After the Revolutionary War, George Washington and Alexander Hamilton implemented on whiskey America’s first tax, all in an effort to bring the nation out of debt. Needless to say, those producing the drink were not pleased.
“The people in Pittsburgh started tarring and feathering tax collectors that came to town. They started burning down the houses of politicians,” said Meredith Meyer Grelli, owner of the Pittsburgh-based Wigle Whiskey.
Washington marched 13,000 troops from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, sentencing two protesters to be hanged. This marked one of the only times when an American president led an army against his own people.
This story, according to Grelli, is a vital part of America’s and Pennsylvania’s history. In order to do it justice and inform people of the legacy of the state’s craft spirits industry, Grelli helped create the Whiskey Rebellion Trail, which features 70 craft distilleries and cultural institutions in the greater Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Philadelphia areas, including Bristol’s Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey and Bensalem’s 1675 Spirits.
“We think whiskey is a perfect way to tell the American story. It’s also for us, as a Mid-Atlantic region, an opportunity to reclaim this heritage, which has long been sort of held by Kentucky, but which really is rightfully ours,” Grelli said. “The idea for the Whiskey Rebellion Trail was really doing just that – reclaiming it, building tourism in the state based on our history and, more importantly at this point, building the craft spirits industry.”
The initiative officially launched on July 12, with whiskey enthusiasts able to follow a curated itinerary to travel along a multi-day master trail, taking them through the heart of the Whiskey Rebellion and through each major city. Year-long, weekend and one-day passes are available for each region, including Bucks County.
During a special kickoff event on Monday, July 15 at Philadelphia Distilling, located at 25 E. Allen St., a number of Whiskey Rebellion Trail participants enjoyed a spirits tasting and mingling with local owners.
Present on behalf of Dad’s Hat (925 Canal St.) was founder Herman C. Mihalich, who said he’s excited to be involved in the statewide project.
“It’s fun. We’ve been focused on our local efforts, trying to get things organized locally, so we’ll see how this connects with the rest of the state,” he said. “I think we have a great history here and we’d like to keep building it block by block, area by area.”
So why should Dad’s Hat be a go-to stop for trail-goers? According to Mihalich, its success speaks for itself. Not only did the distillery win Craft Whiskey of the Year in 2016 from Whiskey Advocate Magazine, its products are currently sold in 23 states and 15 countries.
“We’re probably one of the larger stores,” he said. “You really get immersed in the process, you really see what’s going on. We’re producing at a scale that I think makes it interesting for folks to see how it’s done.”
As for Ian Monagle and Randy Taylor, the pair of Conwell-Egan graduates who opened the doors to 1675 Spirits (2685 Bristol Pike) last winter, they’re thrilled at the chance to reach customers beyond Bucks County.
“We’re definitely excited to be on the Whiskey Rebellion Trail. It’s going to connect a lot of people across the state locally within the spirits market,” Monagle said. “We’re just happy to be a part of it and happy to get in at a unique time in the craft spirits market.”
In Monagle’s opinion, trail-goers should mark 1675 Spirits on their agenda for a few reasons. Not only does it have an interesting historic tie, located on America’s oldest, continuing highway, its menu goes beyond your average distillery.
“We offer a variety of spirits, including vodka and whiskey, some flavored whiskeys as well. We’ll be putting out other flavored products in the near future,” he said. “We have a great cocktail program at the facility, so a lot of seasonal cocktails, all fresh juices.”
The Whiskey Rebellion Trail is organized by a Trail Advisory Board (chaired by Grelli), which is comprised of more than a dozen tourism and economic development agencies, the state of Pennsylvania and craft distilleries across the Mid-Atlantic. In its inaugural year, the trail will focus on craft distilleries and museums, with the intention of adding bars, restaurants and hotels as part of the complete passport offering.
Passes, available at whiskeyrebelliontrail.com, include entrance to museums, including the Museum of the American Revolution, as well as cocktails, flights and tours at the 70 participating distilleries. Passes range in price from free to $165 for an annual pass. Visitors are able to track their progress on their mobile device. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
