(U.S. Mid-Atlantic Region, January 12, 2016)- From craft breweries and cideries, to vineyards featuring unique varietals, and distilleries creating lively blends, the Mid-Atlantic is home to a growing number of spirited locations, featuring flavors unique to the region. The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) has compiled information about some of the lip-smacking libations native to Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Interested in learning more about or visiting about a specific brewery, cidery, distillery, or winery listed below? Contact the Visitors Bureau in the description for more details.
Delaware:
Greater Wilmington
Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Eastern Maryland and Southern New Jersey share the same latitude as California's Napa Valley. Now 60+ wineries have joined together to form the Vintage Atlantic Wine Region, the East Coast's first multi-state wine region. Explore six wine trails and experience the wealth of historical and tourism assets. Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Lyn Lewis, LynLewis@VisitWilmingtonDE.com, VisitWilmingtonDE.com
Kent County & Greater Dover
The Blue Earl Brewery and Rebel Seed Cidery (the only cidery in Delaware) brings the stops on our Good Libation Tour to eight! Now, within a 20-mile radius - two wineries, three breweries, one distillery, and one cidery - a brand new and enhanced Good Libations Tour! Kent County & Greater Dover Delaware Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lorraine J. Dion, ldion@visitdover.com, VisitDover.com
Maryland:
Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
Great Frogs in Annapolis and Thanksgiving Farm in the Annapolis countryside offer tours and tastings of wines made from grapes grown on site. Visitors are invited to spend time strolling the vineyards, enjoying a picnic lunch, and sampling wines in Great Frogs' rustic tobacco barn and Thanksgiving Farm's elegant tasting room. Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau, Susan Steckman, ssteckman@visitannapolis.org, VisitAnnapolis.org
Baltimore
The Baltimore Whiskey Company is north Baltimore's neighborhood distillery, distilling and aging craft rye whiskey, gin, apple brandy, and more. The BWC blends, bottles, and ships a lineup of spirits Baltimore can call its own. In 2016, south Baltimore will be home to Sagamore Spirit, a new five-acre whiskey distillery. Visit Baltimore, Moneé Cottman, mcottman@baltimore.org, Baltimore.org
Calvert County
Nestled in fertile land on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, Calvert County is home to five wineries and four breweries. Relax and enjoy the unique tastings, tours, and events at these award-winning facilities. Stay overnight and enjoy the abundant opportunities for sightseeing, dining, shopping, sailing, and charter fishing. Calvert County Department of Economic Development, Joyce Baki, bakija@co.cal.md.us, ChooseCalvert.com
Frederick County
Drink in the view in Frederick County. Sip nationally-acclaimed wines along the Frederick Wine Trail; tour Maryland's largest brewery Flying Dog Brewery; or visit the state's first licensed cidery Distillery Lane Ciderworks. Enjoy hand-distilled craft spirits on the new Frederick Distillery Trail, which includes four distilleries opening in 2016. Visit Frederick, Charissa Hipp, chipp@fredco-md.net, VisitFrederick.org
Harford County
Harford County has three new breweries with tours and tastings 'on-tap'! Independent Brewing Company is a small-batch brewery; Ocean City Brewing Company's Harford County location features 50 taps and their own vodka; and Falling Branch Brewery is a true 'Farm to Bottle' brewery using hops grown on their family farm. Visit Harford County, Greg Pizzuto, greg@visitharford.com, VisitHarford.com
Howard County
Manor Hill Brewing and Jailbreak Brewing Company wet whistles with their locally-produced craft beer and as part of the HowardOnTap craft beer trail. Lost Ark Distilling Company, the county's first distillery, is scheduled to open in early 2016 and will produce hand-crafted, farm-to-bottle whiskey and rum. Howard County Tourism & Promotion, Sarah Kurtanich, sarah@visithowardcounty.com, VisitHowardCounty.com
Montgomery County
Montgomery County is home to new breweries and a distillery! Twin Valley Distillers produced the first bourbon made from start to finish in Maryland. All of Waredaca Brewing Company's beers include something grown/produced on the farm. Denizens Brewing Co. has five flagship beers and five rotating seasonal brews. Visit Montgomery, Bethany Manimbo, bmanimbo@visitmontgomery.com, VisitMontgomery.com
Wicomico County
Wicomico County is a hub for exploring Maryland's eastern shore. Bordeleau's award-winning wines are offered on the waterfront. EVO lives by its motto, "Ever Better Beer for Ever Better Food." Tall Tales' beers are worthy of the folklore that they're named for. Rubber Soul's beers are brewed with soul. Wicomico County Recreation, Parks & Tourism, Kristen Goller, kgoller@wicomicocounty.org, WicomicoTourism.org
Pennsylvania:
Bucks County
Bucks County is home to two distilleries, both offering a unique taste and a close-up look at the process. Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey in Bristol makes rye whiskey and offers a one-hour tour and tasting. Hewn Spirits in Pipersville makes rum, three whiskeys, and a moonshine in Pipersville. Visit Bucks County, Jessica Lawlor, jessical@visitbuckscounty.com, VisitBucksCounty.com
Butler County
DR Distillery, located in Slippery Rock, produces handcrafted, small batch whiskey and partners with local farmers and businesses. DR Distillery is committed to producing outstanding quality whiskey. They malt grain, propagate yeast, and develop original craft spirits including a variety of flavors like apple, peach shining tea, and other flavors. Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, Kimberly Windisch, kimberly@krolmedia.com, VisitButlerCounty.com
Central Pennsylvania
Come tour Centre County's Central PA Tasting Trail. Stop in Bellefonte to visit Good Intent Cider and Big Spring Spirits, the first LEED-certified distillery in the country. In State College, have a cocktail at Barrel 21 Distillery and try Keewaydin Cider made from locally-grown apples. Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau, Andy Rupert andyr@visitpennstate.org, VisitPennState.org
Cumberland Valley
Tap, tour, and try a pint with a local twist on the Cumberland Valley Beer Trail. Molly Pitcher Brewing Company is named after the famed Revolutionary War heroine and is just steps away from her monument, while the Appalachian Brewing Company ties its name to the nearby Appalachian Trail. Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau, Aaron Jumper, aaron@visitcumberlandvalley.com, VisitCumberlandValley.com
Franklin County
Delicious and locally-made spirits can be found at Reid's Orchard & Winery in Orrtanna, with delightful hard cider made on site. Try their different flavors such as apple raspberry, pumpkin, peach, and traditional hard cider. In downtown Chambersburg, sample Roy Pitz Brewery's scrumptious selections which range far beyond just ale. Franklin County Visitors Bureau, Lauren Cappuccio, lcappuccio@explorefranklincountypa.com, ExploreFranklinCountyPA.com
Gettysburg
Beyond the Civil War battlefields is Apple Country USA, in the heart of the Pennsylvania Fruit Belt, where 20,000 acres of apple trees are giving blossom to an emerging cider industry. With a number of varieties - dry and sweet - the Gettysburg area is turning heads for its renowned cider scene. Destination Gettysburg, Carl Whitehill, carl@destinationgettysburg.com, DestinationGettysburg.com
Indiana County
Whiskey, once currency for farmers, satisfies our quest for American roots. Disobedient Spirits distillery rediscovers that history. Savor local harvests in Solstice Apple Brandy at their corporate meeting spaces, game rooms, and bars. "Hop" into spring openings at Levity Brewing and Noble Stein Brewing Company. Indiana County Tourist Bureau, Maria Jack, mjack@visitindianacountypa.org, VisitIndianaCountyPA.org
Lancaster
A restored former tobacco warehouse in Lancaster now houses both the Little Dutch Taproom for the revived Wacker Brewing Company and the tasting room for Thistle Finch Distillery, which produces rye whiskey, gin, and vodka. Come try the hip new flavors of Downtown Lancaster! Discover Lancaster, Joel Cliff, jcliff@discoverlancaster.com, DiscoverLancaster.com
Laurel Highlands
Sip and savor in Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands! Enjoy brews like 60 Degrees and Sunshine and Java the Hut; fine wines like Lavender Mist and Black Currant Port; and Peach Pie Moonshine from the new Ridge Runner Distillery. The Laurel Highlands is home to five wineries, three breweries, and one distillery. Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, Anna Weltz, aweltz@laurelhighlands.org, LaurelHighlands.org
Lehigh Valley
Quench your thirst in Lehigh Valley with stops at two distilleries. Visit the Social Still in Bethlehem to enjoy a beverage along with a delicious meal. Or, head to County Seat Spirits in Allentown to sample their products. Be sure to ask for locally-made spirits at bars throughout the region. Cheers! Discover Lehigh Valley, Kaitie Burger, kaitie@discoverlehighvalley.com, DiscoverLehighValley.com
Pocono Mountains
The Poconos' wineries and micro-breweries offer a unique, relaxing getaway. And because they're located throughout the four-county region, it's an experience that's close to you no matter where you travel. Tour a winery or smell the hops at a micro-brew. Relax in the tasting room and sample the many varieties available. Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, Elizabeth Richardson, erichardson@poconos.org, PoconoMountains.com
Virginia:
Arlington
Arlington welcomes 2016 with the addition of two new breweries. Sehkraft Brewing in Clarendon is a 9,000-square-foot brewpub housing a 10-barrel brewhouse and restaurant. New District Brewing Company, opening in the first quarter of 2016, plans a fresh take on craft beer in Arlington's Shirlington neighborhood. Arlington Convention & Visitors Service, Cara O'Donnell, codonnell@arlingtonva.us, StayArlington.com
Charlottesville
Central Virginia is the state's epicenter of artisanal cider. With eight different cideries, including Albemarle Ciderworks and Castle Hill Cider, visitors can enjoy dozens of cider varieties and see why this beverage was our founding fathers' drink of choice. The Charlottesville area also features over 30 wineries and several micro-breweries! Charlottesville Albemarle Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bri Warner, warnerb@charlottesville.org, VisitCharlottesville.org
Clearfield County
There are plenty of libations to wet your whistle in Clearfield County! Be sure to stop by Kunes Farm, located in Frenchville, and ask about their Keewaydin Hard Cider. Try a Down With Trousers Scottish ale at Doc G's Brewing Company in DuBois or a Milk Moostache stout at Race Street Brew Works in Clearfield. Visit Clearfield County, Josh Woods, jwoods@visitclearfieldcounty.org, VisitClearfieldCounty.org
Harrisonburg
Hard cider is in the Shenandoah Valley courtesy of Old Hill Cider. Old Hill Cider is the Valley's first such cidery. If craft beer is more for you, Harrisonburg has four breweries to quench your thirst. Try Brothers Craft Brewery, Pale Fire, Three Notch'd, or the newest Wolfe Street Brewery. Harrisonburg Tourism & Visitor Services, Jessica Williams, jessica.williams@harrisonburgva.gov, VisitHarrisonburgVA.com
Lexington
Lexington boasts two breweries and three vineyards, including Devils Backbone Brewery-winner of the Great American Beer Festival's Small Brewpub and Mid-Size Brewing Company of the Year for three consecutive years. Wine enthusiasts will appreciate Rockbridge Vineyard's ice wine V D'OR, a 2015 Virginia Governor's Cup gold medal winner. Lexington and Rockbridge Area Tourism, Patty Williams, marketing@lexingtonvirgina.com, LexingtonVirginia.com
Lynchburg
Possibly the ancestor of all fermented drinks, mead takes the hard work of bees and turns it into spiked sunshine. Kvasir Meadworks is one of Lynchburg's regional treasures, infusing honey with seasonal fruits, fresh herbs, and spices, then fermenting it for your enjoyment. Come taste the buzz! Lynchburg Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, Krista Boothby, krista.boothby@lynchburgva.gov, DiscoverLynchburg.org
Prince William & Manassas
Quench your thirst and experience American whiskey & gin at KO Distilling. Now offering tours, tastings and event space, there is something for everyone. Murlarkey Distilled Spirts will also be opening its doors this year for tastings featuring a variety of small batch craft whiskeys to wet your whistle. Prince William & Manassas, VA, Nicole Warner, nwarner@discoverpwm.com, DiscoverPWM.com
Roanoke
Take in the beautiful Virginia Mountains scenery through a self-guided craft beer tour, better known as the Virginia's Blue Ridge Beerway, to eight craft breweries in the region. Recently opened in "the moonshine capital of the world" are the Twin Creeks and Franklin County Distilleries located south in Franklin County. Roanoke Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau, Catherine Fox, cfox@visitroanokeva.com, VisitVABlueridge.com
Shenandoah County
Known for its abundant apple crop, the Northern Shenandoah Valley is quickly becoming a destination for thirsty travelers! Home to eight vineyards, two craft breweries, one cidery, and two upcoming distilleries, Shenandoah County is no exception. Sample the six ciders on tap at The Winery at Kindred Pointe. Shenandoah County Tourism, Jenna French, jfrench@shenandoahcountyva.us, ShenandoahTravel.org
