Pittsburgh Marks the First Stop of the New Whiskey Rebellion Trail

Think the story of American whiskey begins in Kentucky? Think again.

Celebrate American whiskey by tasting flights, sipping cocktails and learning about the history behind it all while traveling along the newly-unveiled Whiskey Rebellion Trail.

The multi-regional trail, which launches today, will showcase an intoxicating aspect of history through visits to more than 75 craft distilleries and cultural institutions in greater Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. 

“The Mid-Atlantic has been a hotbed of alcohol ingenuity from its start – as the birthplace of rye whiskey and home of the 1790’s Whiskey Rebellion,” says Meredith Meyer Grelli, founder and chair of the Whiskey Rebellion Trail and owner of Wigle Whiskey, in a press release. 

Weekender and one-day passes, which range in price from free to $165 for an annual pass, are available for each region and can be found online. Passes include admission to museums such as the Heinz History Center and George Washington’s Mount Vernon, in addition to tours and tastings at the 70 participating distilleries.

Visitors can follow a curated itinerary, keeping track of their progress on their mobile device.

“The Whiskey Rebellion Trail combines the best of both into a package that showcases not only our region and its attractions, but also our neighboring friends on the trail,” says County Executive Rich Fitzgerald in a press release.

During its first year, the trail will focus on museums and craft distilleries, but the advisory board hopes to add restaurants, bars and hotels. The trail advisory board consists of more than a dozen tourism and economic development agencies, craft distilleries and the state of Pennsylvania.

“This isn’t a scripted trail, but a living historic trail filled with entrepreneurship in its earliest form, rebels and rebellion, taxes and our spirit that continues to this day,” says Executive Director of the Laurel Highlands Visitor Bureau Ann Nemanic in a press release. “We want visitors to raise a glass and toast those who literally led the charge for the beverages we savor today.”