HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Pennsylvania is one step closer to having an official state spirit.
Senators passed a bill Sunday to designate rye whiskey as the Commonwealth’s official spirit. Proponents say the effort recognizes Pennsylvania’s historic role in shaping the United States’ whiskey tradition while celebrating a thriving craft distilling industry.
Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) introduced the bill back in March.
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“I am thankful for my friends Jim and Ellen Hough of Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington County, along with a coalition of Pennsylvania rye whiskey distillers, who originally brought this initiative to my attention,” Bartolotta said.
Pennsylvania led the nation in whiskey production from the late 1700’s through the 1840’s and, in 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion took place in southwestern Pennsylvania. It was an uprising against a federal excise tax on distilled spirits.
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The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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