Summer is a magical time with longer days, warmer weather, and endless possibilities. It is also the perfect time to explore outside your city limits and take in all the hidden treasures waiting to be discovered. If you are looking for an idyllic summer getaway, look no further than the Pennsylvania Spirits Trail. The Keystone State is home to popular distilleries, wineries, breweries, and cideries, offering craft beverage enthusiasts a well-rounded taste experience. This blog explores some of the best distilleries to create lasting memories during your Pennsylvania Spirits Trail.

6 Spirit Makers to Visit & the Pennsylvania Spirits Trail

Pennsylvania, the second state in the union, is acclaimed as the home of traditional distilling and an endowment of natural resources, including centuries-old apple orchards, vineyards, and rolling hills of corn and grain. Over the past five years, the availability of raw materials and recent favorable legislation have thrust the state as one of the nation’s top distilling hubs. Today, over 50 distilleries operate in Pennsylvania, concentrated around Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Many of them make and serve some of the most loved spirit brands in the country. Let’s explore six distilleries and winemakers, along the Pennsylvania Spirits Trail that could easily fit into a weekend trip across the state:

Manatawny Still Works – Pottstown, PA

• Address: 320 Circle of Progress Dr #104 in Pottstown, PA 19464

Manatawny Still Works is one of Pennsylvania’s most notable spirits distilleries producing rum, vodka, whiskey, and gin. It also offers a pub, food trucks, and exciting weekend tours of its facility. This state-of-the-art distillery produces the highest quality small-batch spirits with flavorful tastes. What’s more? Manatawny operates two craft spirits shops in Philadelphia, complete with a starting room and bar serving beer and cocktails.

Silverback Distillery – East Stroudsburg, PA

• Address: 132 Airstrip Rd. in East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

Silverback Distillery is a family-operated distilling facility creating high-quality and award-winning spirits. The mother-daughter-run distillery makes a distinct line of drinks for everyone, including refreshing, citrus-forward Strange Monkey Gin and real honey-liqueur-infused Blackback Rye Whiskey. If you are a bourbon lover, visit the distillery to get a taste of their flavorful Blackback Bourbon spirits made from a unique mix of local grains, malted barley, and good old American craft.

Altered State Distillery – Erie, PA

• Address: 1535 W 8th St. in Erie, PA 16505

Altered State Distillery is the proud maker of some internationally awarded craft whiskeys, rum, organic gin, organic vodka, and innovative liquors. Apart from their beverages, this small-batch craft distillery is also a popular spot for live music, food, and cocktails to be enjoyed in-house or on the go. They host open jam sessions every Thursday and live local and regional acts every Friday and Saturday night year-round.

Tall Pines Distillery – Salisbury, PA

• Address: 9224 Mason Dixon Hwy. in Salisbury, PA 15558

Tall Pines is home to a stunning moonshine that is hard to find anywhere else. They are known for the signature flavors available year-round, as well as seasonal and exclusive location flavors. The grain-to-glass distillery uses real ingredients and natural flavors to make some of the most recognizable spirits. Their hand-crafted products are created with traditional recipes offering unforgettable experiences.

Boardroom Spirits Distillery – Lansdale, PA

• Address: 575 W 3rd St in Lansdale, PA 19446

Boardroom Spirits combines European-distilling traditions and modern American ingenuity to create electrifying spirits to quench your thirst. Situated in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, the distillery features a long list of libations, weekly sipping events, and food truck festivities to make your summer vacation memorable. During your tour, you can talk with the brains behind your favorite bottle and grab all of the finer details regarding the Greater Philadelphia area distillery culture.

Bluebird Distilling – Phoenixville, PA

• Address: 100 Bridge St. in 19460

Bluebird Distilling is a grain-to-glass distillery that leverages a state-of-the-art hybrid copper still to create perfect spirits with a touch of elegance and tradition. If you appreciate craft cocktails, the place doesn’t disappoint. Since opening its doors in 2015, it has been creating a wide variety of Bourbon, Whiskey, Vodka, and other spirits made entirely from scratch, all with locally sourced ingredients. Apart from running a full distillery, Bluebird also features a tasting bar, a masterful coffee lounge, and even an indoor open-air dog-friendly section where you can grab correctly made smooth cocktails with your furry friend. Their desire to make everything perfect makes visiting the distillery a memorable experience during your summer vacation in the area.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Pennsylvania Spirits Trail Adventure

Plan ahead.

It always pays to plan ahead for your tour. If you have your spirit-adventure-seeking heart set on a specific experience, call in advance to reserve your place. You should also dress appropriately to guarantee comfort. Stillrooms are extremely warm when distillation is taking place. You should therefore wear casual and light clothing. It is also a good idea to wear closed-toed shoes to prevent the risk of injuries from heavy tools and machinery.

Arrive fresh and punctual.

For a start, arrive at the distillery punctually and sober. Experts reveal you will likely enjoy the experience more when both your mind and palate are fresh. If you are looking forward to enjoying a few drams of your favorite drink at the facility, do so on your way out.

Find out the allowable age limit.

If you are traveling with children, keep in mind most distilleries have an age limit for visitors. The limit depends on the company policy, and if you are not sure, you better check in advance. While some distilleries allow under-age visitors provided they don’t participate in sampling, others require strict adherence to the age limit.

Don’t wait for the last tour of the day.

Pennsylvania spirit makers schedule tours covering the entire working day. The last tours are typically offered an hour before the visitor center closes. However, during these tours, guides tend to be more stressed and are under pressure to stick to the schedule. This doesn’t mean you will be taken through in a rush, but you will likely have less time to get your questions answered or shown something out of the ordinary.

FAQs

What are the common types of distillers?

There are various types of distillers, including reflux stills, copper stills, pot still, column still, and stainless steel.

What questions should I ask my distiller?

Ask any question about the spirits or the process that pops into your mind. Some of the questions to get you started include:

• How do you source your ingredients?
• What happens to the byproducts of the distillation process?
• What types of stills do you use?

What do you wear to a distillery tour?

The ideal attire to visit the distillery is casual and comfortable clothing. Be aware during summer months, the distillery may be very hot, with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees.

Discover the best Pennsylvania distilleries with DistilleryNearby

If you are an enthusiast interested in learning more about craft spirits and craft cocktails offered by your favorite Pennsylvania distillery, DistilleryNearby is ready to optimize your tour experience. And it’s your best guide for experiencing the hotspots along the Pennsylvania Spirits Trail. We provide a tailored directory to help you explore distilleries by location, beverage type, or amenities, making it easy to find great local options.