Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival

Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival
FrequencyAnnual
Inaugurated2007
Organised byPittsburgh Wine Festival LLC[1]
Websitewww.pittsburghwhiskeyfestival.com

The Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival is an annual festival celebrating whiskey and spirits in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[2] The festival is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.[1] Contributions to the event benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.[3] The Pittsburgh festival follows a similar one in Philadelphia.[4] The creation of the festival follows the success of the Pittsburgh Wine Festival.[1] It was conceived as an "experiential marketplace for spirits."[5] It was founded in 2007, amid growth in whiskey's popularity.[6]

The inaugural event in 2007 focused on featuring whiskeys, ryes and vodkas, which are meant to be consumed "neat."[5] The theme was the Whiskey Rebellion, an important event in Western Pennsylvania history, with information on the history of ryes and whiskeys.[5] In 2008, the offerings were expanded to include cocktails,[3] That year, the sponsors sought to reach the female demographic.[7] The 2009 event sought to reach an even broader audience, especially younger individuals.[8][9] The 2010 event had a speakeasy decor, with a new focus on cigars.[10][11][12]

For the first time, the 2011 edition, which had a Mad Men theme, sold out all tickets prior to the beginning of the event. Wigle Whiskey, a new Pittsburgh distillery, was to have been featured, but federal authorities had not yet approved the brand's label design.[13][14] The "Adult Chocolate Milk" specialty drink was well received.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival Hits The Jackpot With Over 350 Liquors From Around The World" (Press release). Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. October 5, 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  2. ^ Markham, Dale. "Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival". Archived from the original on 2012-12-01. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  3. ^ a b "Pittsburgh Whiskey and Fine Spirits Festival". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  4. ^ "PLCB: World's Finest Spirits to be Sampled at Whiskey and Fine Spirits Festivals in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia" (Press release). Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. November 4, 2010. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  5. ^ a b c Karlovits, Bob (November 12, 2008). "Festival merges whiskey, lifestyle". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  6. ^ Karlovits, Bob (October 23, 2012). "Second Whiskey Rebellion extends across Western Pa". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  7. ^ Toland, Bill (November 6, 2008). "Manly whiskey festival reaches out to women". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  8. ^ Guerriero, Kate (November 15, 2009). "Pittsburgh Whiskey and Fine Spirits Festival draws connoisseurs". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  9. ^ Karlovits, Bob (November 10, 2009). "Whiskey festival seeks to attract younger audience". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  10. ^ "WHIRL Magazine > Events > January 2011 > Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival - 11/12/10". WHIRL Magazine. November 12, 2010. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  11. ^ Karlovits, Bob (November 10, 2010). "Cigars to be included in Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Tasting". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  12. ^ Guerriero, Kate (November 14, 2010). "Pittsburgh Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival benefits Multiple Sclerosis Society". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  13. ^ Toland, Bill (November 17, 2011). "Whiskey here and in India". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  14. ^ Karlovits, Bob (November 15, 2011). "Whiskey festival will celebrate the '60s with 'Mad Men' theme". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  15. ^ Benz, Kate (November 20, 2011). "Pittsburgh Whiskey and Fine Spirits Festival held at Heinz Field". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2012-12-09.