Philly has an active and thriving craft distillery scene. The state has excellently made rye whiskey, bourbon, vodka, and plenty of small-batch drinks you can sample. Apart from making high-quality spirits, Philadelphia distilleries have also set up classic cocktail bars to showcase their products. Whether you’re seeking a mixed drink or a whiskey flight, you can find it in these cocktail bars that always have food trucks and live music. This post looks at some of the top craft spirit producers on the Philadelphia distillery trail.

Philadelphia Distilling 

After prohibition, Philadelphia distilling was the first alcohol producer in Pennsylvania and, thus, the oldest in the state. The company is known mainly for its tasty Bluecoat gin, which has won several international and national awards. Initially, the company only worked as a production facility. However, once the lawmakers passed laws allowing bars and visitors, the company opened a tasting bar and room in Fishtown. 

Their tasting room has comfy coaches, a relaxing vibe, and games. It’s an ideal place to drop by for a tour or chill with friends while enjoying your drinks.

• Location: 25 E Allen St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
• Phone: (215) 671-0346

New Liberty Distillery

Here is a distillery that’s dedicated to making rye whiskey famous worldwide. There was a time, long ago, when the spirit was more popular than Tennessee or Kentucky whiskey; New Liberty seeks to reclaim those days. Robert Cassel, a master distiller in Philly, founded New Liberty in 2014, and currently, the company has three top-selling brands; Heritage series, New Liberty and Kinsey. They also offer different types of vodka, bourbon, rye, whiskey, and liqueurs like walnut nocino and limoncello.

The distilleries current building was previously stable, so while taking a tour, you will see horse stalls alongside other machinery. New Liberty also built a spacious courtyard allowing many people to taste cocktails and recipes at once.

• Location: 1431 Cadwallader St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
• Phone: (267) 928-4650

Manatawny Still Works

Found in South Philly on East Passyunk Avenue, Manatawny is a popular spot you have to visit. The company offers outdoor seating, whiskey flights, and signature cocktails for locals and tourists.

Mantwany officially started production in 2014, and it currently produces a variety of spirits that include: gin, four-grain whiskeys, vodka, and gold rum. To get a tour, you can visit their premises in Pottstown.

• Location: 320 Circle of Progress DR#104
• Phone: (484)624-8271

Bluebird Distilling 

Being a grain-to-grass distillery, Bluebird does all its processes on-site at its spacious Phoenixville facility. From mash to bottling, the distillery employs a hands-on process to ensure they create the best craft spirit possible. Additionally, the company makes killer cocktails you can sample at their bar. Bluebird produces over a dozen spirits, including Junipers Gin, Four Grain Bourbon, Sugarcane Rum, and an agave spirit. 

If you can’t head to the distillery, you can visit their bottle shop and tasting room in Philadelphia at liberty place.

• Location: 100 Bridge St, Phoenixville, PA 19460
• Phone: (610) 933-7827

Stateside Vodka

Cofounded by brothers Bryan Quigley and Matt in a basement, the company has stood all the challenges to become Philly’s top-selling vodka. Stateside Vodka has a 6000-square-foot facility in Kensington, where you will find a cocktail lounge and a tasting room. While at the distillery, you can taste all the products, including the rare Black label bourbon.

• Location: 1700 Hancock St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
• Phone: (215) 425-4200

Four Humours Distilling 

Producing whiskey, which requires a long aging period, requires expertise. Four Humours is working to improve its processes and perfect its spirits inside its rickhouse found in Kessington. To keep customers entertained, the company opened a classy cocktail bar. It’s designed to resemble how an oak barrel looks inside and has creative bartenders willing to share their expertise with visitors.

Additionally, the bartenders are friendly and only use premium ingredients to make their cocktails.

• Location: 1712 N Hancock St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
• Phone: (610) 324-3915

Boardroom Spirits

Since opening its doors in 2016, Boardroom Spirits has primarily focused on using locally sourced ingredients to make its products. These include; flavored and traditional vodkas, bourbon, brandy, gin, and rum. The distillery aimed to combine European distilling methods and American ingenuity to make their spirits. The result is unique drinks made from apples, beets, and carrots.

Their tasting room is always open, though we recommend booking in advance for tours.

• Location: 595 W 3rd St, Lansdale, PA19446
• Phone: (267) 642-9961

Hewn Spirits 

Hewn uses different woods to pass on flavors in their spirits, To make award-winning products. The distillery will combine local grains distilled inside handmade copper stills with reclaimed wood. Since opening in 2014, Hewn Spirits has been steadily growing; they currently have two locations. These are a tasting room and distillery in Pipersville and a bar in Peddlers village.

You can check out either location to sample their cocktails or try flights using their rye whiskey, vodka, rum, and white whiskey.

• Location: 40 Peddlers Village, New Hope, PA 18938
• Phone: (267) 544-0720

Pennsylvania Distilling Co.

You will find your favorite drink at Pennsylvania Distilling if you are a spirit lover. Though new to the market, the small-batch distillery produces plenty of drinks, including; bourbon, gin, rum, rye whiskey, vodka, and single-malt whiskey. In addition, the distillery only uses locally sourced ingredients to promote the local farmers.

Pennsylvania Distilling has a spacious and comfy tasting room you can check out, though you’ll have to book a reservation to get a tour.

• Location: 50 Three Tun Rd#3, Malvern, PA 19355
• Phone: (484) 568-4920

FAQs & the Philadelphia Distillery Trail

Do I have to pay for tours?

All the distilleries on the Philadelphia distillery trail charge for tours, though it’s not much. The price mostly ranges between $10 to $40, depending on the type of tour you want.

Do you need reservations?

Some distilleries are open throughout; however, some are open on particular days. Thus, we recommend calling ahead to inquire whether you need a reservation.

Other things to do in Philadelphia 

Philly has numerous attractions you can visit, they include:

• Liberty Bell Pavilion 
• Independence Hall
• Philadelphia Museum of Arts
• Philadelphia Zoo

Conclusion

To have a thrilling experience on the Philadelphia distillery trail, we recommend starting your day early and making reservations for tours in advance. Also, avoid drinking and driving, and remember to take many pictures.

If you want to learn more about different types of spirits or other famous distillery trails, you can visit Distillery Nearby.