Foobooz Booze Nooz

Photo by Claudia Gavin

The local distilling scene is really taking off. Foobooz Booze Nooz will be our periodic roundup of new distilleries, products and events.

On Thursday, November 12th, Rowhouse Spirits is releasing their first barrel-aged product. “(e)” Malt Whiskey is the first whiskey to be fermented, distilled, aged and bottled in Philadelphia since in maybe 30 years. There’s a single barrel being released and just 50 bottles will be sold out the Frankford Avenue distillery. So why (e)? It has to do with owner Dean Browne’s last name ending with an “e” and whiskey being spelled with an “e” in the United States. The 50 bottles of the 50% ABV whiskey will be $50 per bottle. And oh, did we mention Dean Browne turns 50 this month?

We were lucky enough to sample some of the whiskey yesterday, and much like Browne’s gin, its nuanced flavor had us going back for more.

Those 50 bottles of Rowhouse’s whiskey may be gone in minutes but there will still be a reason to head to the tasting room on Friday (not the least of which is Browne’s extremely good gin). The Mural Arts Program will be holding a dedication ceremony for the mural by Phillip Adams that adorns the distillery. The dedication and after-party will be from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Just under a month ago we told you that Federal Distilling was opening in Kensington. The nascent distiller debuted its first product, Stateside Vodka at Whiskey Fest this past Thursday. The first batch was a smooth vodka with none of that awful hairspray traits that some well known vodkas suffer. Look for Stateside Vodka in select liquor stores in the next several weeks. It will sell for $27.99.

Rowhouse isn’t the only distillery releasing an aged spirit. On Saturday, November 7th, Manatawny Still Works in Pottstown is releasing 650-bottles of a small batch rum. According to master distiller Max Pfeffer, this is a light rum indicative of rums from the Spanish West Indies. The rum is described as “delivering strong vanilla and ripe banana messaging” on the nose while the taste has “gentle flavors of wine grapes, butter, dried fruit and vanilla.” The rum will be available on a first-come-first-served basis starting at noon.

Lansdale, PA is getting its own distillery. Boardroom Spirits is the brainchild of three corporate road warriors who have teamed together to open a micro-distillery. The distillery will offer whiskey, naturally flavored vodkas and an interesting line of brandies. The distillery is in the final stages of preparation before the get distilling for real.

Dad’s Hat in Bristol is hosting a cool sounding event with bartenders Phoebe Esmon and Christian Gaal. On Saturday, November 14th the couple is hosting a cocktail class at the distillery. The class is $30 and participants will be able to sharpen their cocktail skills in time for the holidays with the help of Esmon ad Gaal. The class also gets you a hands-on how-to lesson, a tour of the distillery and a special whiskey tasting session. Get your tickets now.