Bartolotta bill would designate rye whiskey as official Pa. spirit
The bill recognizes Pennsylvania’s historic role in shaping America’s whiskey tradition while celebrating the state’s craft distilling industry and agricultural heritage.
A bill that would designate rye whiskey as Pennsylvania’s official state spirit advanced out of the Senate State Government Committee Tuesday, highlighting the commonwealth’s rich distilling heritage just days before the annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival in Washington.
Sponsored by Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Carroll Township, Senate Bill 1248 would designate rye whiskey as the Official Spirit of the Commonwealth, recognizing Pennsylvania’s historic role in shaping America’s whiskey tradition while celebrating the state’s craft distilling industry and agricultural heritage.
“Long before Kentucky became synonymous with bourbon, Pennsylvania rye whiskey set the standard for American distilling,” Bartolotta said. “This bill honors that remarkable legacy while recognizing the farmers, distillers and small businesses that continue to carry it forward today.”
According to Bartolotta’s office, Pennsylvania led the nation in whiskey production from the late 18th century through the 1840s. Federal records and the 1810 Census of Manufactures show the commonwealth produced more whiskey than any other state during that period, with rye serving as the dominant grain.
The legislation also draws attention to Western Pennsylvania’s role in the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion, the nation’s first major tax protest following the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
The uprising centered on opposition to a federal excise tax on whiskey and became an early test of the new federal government’s authority.
Pennsylvania’s dominance in rye whiskey production during the late 18th and early 19th centuries made the region the center of the conflict and cemented its place in the nation’s whiskey history.
Today, Washington’s annual Whiskey Rebellion Festival commemorates those events with historical reenactments, educational exhibits, live entertainment, local food vendors and Pennsylvania-made spirits.
Bartolotta’s office also noted that Whiskey Point in Monongahela marks the site where 226 whiskey rebels gathered before the conflict came to a peaceful conclusion.
The committee’s approval comes one week before this year’s festival, which is held in Washington and celebrates the region’s role in early American history.
“I am grateful for my friends at Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington County along with a coalition of Pennsylvania rye whiskey distillers who brought this initiative to my attention,” Bartolotta said.
Supporters say naming rye whiskey the official spirit of the commonwealth would honor Pennsylvania’s distilling heritage while promoting local agriculture, small businesses and the state’s reputation for producing high-quality spirits.
The bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny; Devlin Robinson, R-Allegheny; Elder Vogel, R-Beaver; Michele Brooks, R-Crawford; and Steven Santarsiero, D-Bucks.
The Senate State Government Committee approved the measure with Sen. Katie Muth, D-Chester, casting the lone dissenting vote.
Voting in favor were Sens. David Argall, Doug Mastriano, Kristin Phillips-Hill, Steven Santarsiero, Nikil Saval, Patrick Stefano, Judy Ward, Anthony Williams and committee Chairman Cris Dush. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.
Senate Bill 1248 now advances to the full Senate for consideration.
The Whiskey Rebellion Festival hosted by the Bradford House Museum is set for July 10 and 11. For a full event schedule, go to www.bradfordhouse.org/ whiskey-rebellion-festival/ whiskey-rebellion-festival- schedule.
Bartolotta
