The Keystone State
Pennsylvania is a bridge between Northeast states and Southern states, but also the Atlantic seaboard and the Midwest. Early settlers built a distilling heritage and today there are many local distilleries making rum. Pennsylvania has two distinct regions; the west is closer to the Midwest Great Lakes and the east has an Atlantic coast vibe.
One of the original 13 colonies and a strategic location in colonial America along the Delaware River. Pennsylvania is defined by the Appalachian Mountains, plateaus, forests, Great Lakes, and the Delaware & Susquehanna Rivers. From forested peaks of the Poconos to stunning waterfalls. Wyalusing Rocks.
The first capital of the US was not Washington D.C., but Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. Back in 1787, it was Constitution Day, held by the Founding Fathers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the 1800s there were about 3,000 distilleries across the state. The Revolutionary War, the infamous Whiskey Rebellion, and the American Civil War have defined the region and country. Since then, the legacy of prohibition-era bootleggers and moonshiners has created one of the strictest states for alcohol. As a control state, it’s highly regulated, so out-of-state nearby rum brands might not be readily available. Rum lovers visiting will find many distilleries as a rich distilling heritage goes back to early settlers. You’ll discover many producers make the full spectrum of spirits from moonshine to rum – serving their local community.
This rum tour of Pennsylvania begins in the northwest and ends in the southeast capital of Philly.
Northwest Pennsylvania
Part of the Appalachian Plateaus, known for its hardwood forests, parks, and wildlife. This region was once a centre of the American coal industry due to its rich natural resources. The Allegheny National Forest and the Poconos Mountains are popular destinations. Erie, named the Gem City for its sparkling lake coastline, is part of the Great Lakes and a U.S.-Canada border. The Erie Plain has a unique microclimate on ideal for growing fruit and grapes. Erie County is one of the largest grape-growing regions in the US.
Altered State Distillery
The small, family-owned distillery was started by Erie native Gavin Maus in 2019. The small-batch vodka, rums, gin, and aged whiskeys are made using a custom-built copper hybrid still with a 6-plate column, a 500-gallon pot still, and a small copper hybrid still with a 6-plate column.
Mystic Fox Rum is made with Columbian unrefined Panela sugar and Australian yeast are the building blocks of mystic fox rum. The rum is distilled and aged in toasted white oak barrels minimum of 4 months and charcoal filtered. The Spiced Rum is infused and distilled with real banana, pineapple, ginger, orange, peel, almonds, and a proprietary spice blend. It’s then blended with Belgian candied sugar and vanilla. Call ahead or email to schedule a tour. Find out more on Altered State Distillery
Erie Distillery
Just a mile from Lake Erie and the Presque Isle State Park, the Harkens family makes small-batch spirits. Starting in 2019 the specialty distiller & cocktail bar produces a range including rum Erie Distillery has a White Rum, Spiced Rum, and Coconut Rum. They host live music, and events and serve fresh cocktails at the bar. Find out more on Erie Distillery
Before the Barrel Distillery
Bernie Blore, a Harborcreek native with nearly 10 years of distilling experience gained in Arkansas, opened the distillery in August 2022. Returning to the Erie area in 2021, he aimed to perfect the art of moonshine distillation. Rodney’s Spiced Rum is a very limited edition, produced in a single annual batch. As of October 2024, they are relocating from Corry to a location nearer Erie and partnering with A Waffle Miracle to offer a full dine-in experience. Find out more on Before the Barrel Distillery
Luminary Distilling
This micro-distillery, eatery, and Fuhrman’s Cider in Erie has a small finishing still of only 53 gallons. They make a range of spirits including rum. Luminary Awesome Rum is their white rum. They have 2 locations, in Upper Peach they have a distillery and restaurant, and in Lower Peach, they have a cocktail bar and bottle shop where you can try their rum in a cocktail. Find out more on Luminary Distilling
MLH Distillery
In Grove City, created in 2017 with four local families, they create a range of spirits including rum. MLH Silver Rum, Southern Cross Spiced Rum, and MLH Coconut Rum. They are open weekly for tastings, cocktail tastings, and retail space. Find out more on MLH Distillery
CJ Spirits
Founded in 2014 as one of the first craft distillers in the region, they produce vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey. Named after the historic Route 6, Route 6 Rum is made from blackstrap molasses. Aged using toasted cherry staves. These come from Kane, the black cherry tree capital of the world in the Allegheny National Forest. Rum 6 Spiced Nine different spices and fruit are infused with their 6 Rum along with Allegheny Mountain Spring Water. Find out more on CJ Spirits
West Pennsylvania
The western edge is flatter lands of the Ohio River basin and home to Pine Creek Gorge and Raccoon Creek State Park. Pittsburgh, the Steel City, is the state’s second-largest city is a natural crossroads and major hub at the confluence of three rivers creating the Ohio River. The Ohio River flows into the Mississippi River. Pittsburgh has parks, gardens, and ski resorts nearby.
Maggie’s Farm Distillery Strip District
Founded in 2013, it’s the first commercially available Pennsylvania-made rum and the most recognizable. Maggie’s Farm White Rum is distilled from a fermentation of raw turbinado cane sugar sourced from Louisiana. Open-fermented for nearly 3 weeks with a Caribbean-derived rum yeast and pot distilled. It is gradually proofed down the finished rum over time and rested in stainless tanks for up to 3 months.
Maggie’s Farm 50/50 Dark Rum is made by blending and ageing their pot-distilled rum with an extra-aged molasses-based, column-distilled rum from the Caribbean and further aged an additional 6-9 months. Maggie’s Farm Queen’s Share Rum is a limited overproof reserve made exclusively from the tail running of regular distillations (Queen’s Share method). These tails contain a higher concentration of rum oils and are re-distilled on their own – then bottled at cask strength in a rotating line of barrel finishes.
Maggie’s Farm Single Barrel Rum is aged at a minimum of 2 years in used rum casks. Maggie’s Farm Sherry-Cask Aged Rum is aged for a minimum of 3 years in ex-rum barrels then finished in Oloroso Sherry barrels from Jerez, Spain, and bottled at cask strength. The new distillery in South Hills, Upper St. Clair has a restaurant, bar, tasting room, and retail shop. The Barrelhouse Strip District has a bar, tasting room, and retail shop.
Find out more on Maggie’s Farm Distillery
Kingfly Spirits
A family-owned distillery began in 2019 in Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District. Housed in a meticulously restored 1906 carriage house, it features original wood, iron, and tiles. Kingfly white rum and Kingfly bliss spiced rum is crafted using botanicals and spices individually steeped in 3-year-old rum, then blended and married in the Solera style using ex-bourbon, rum, and wine casks. The distillery offers a tasting bar and events space serving cocktails.
Find out more on Kingfly Spirits
2 JAS Distilling
Located in the Kilbuck Township area of Pittsburgh since 2019, Two Jackasses makes handcrafted small-batch rum. The Silver Rum is unaged rum, Two Jackasses Barrel Aged Rum is aged in an American White Oak charred barrel. Two Jackasses Coconut Flavored Rum infuses the Silver Rum with toasted coconut and lightly sweetened with Demerara Sugar. Find out more on 2 JAS Distilling
Boyd & Blair Rum
Owned and operated by Pittsburgh locals Barry and his wife, Jen Young, and the idea began in 2005. Boyd & Blair Silver Rum every batch starts with supreme baking molasses, slowly and carefully thins the molasses with warm water. Once the yeast is added, the fermentation process can begin. We permit it to run a long 21-28 days in open-air tanks before distilling it twice in a copper pot still. Boyd & Blair BLY Rum Limited Reserve is 109 Proof.
As Steelers fans, Steel Curtain Rum is named in honour of the legendary defensive line that formed the foundation of football’s greatest dynasty, Boyd & Blair Steel Curtain Spirits commemorate the 1974 world championship with limited edition collectible bottles. The brand is a partner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and you can find the rum at the Steelers Stillhouse collection. Find out more on Boyd & Blair Rum
Central Pennsylvania
Known for its rolling hills, fertile valleys, and stunning waterfalls, has many natural beauty spots. The Susquehanna River, is a vital waterway, numerous state parks, and historic sites including Gettysburg National Military Park and Glen Natural Area at Ricketts Glen State Park with its 20 waterfalls (pictured). Central Pennsylvania was the central hub for moonshine production in the prohibition era, with high concentrations of minerals, like limestone which is good for distilling spirits.
Disobedient Spirits
Two friends opened Disobedient Spirits in 2014 in an old grocery store. Ghost Trail Rum is inspired by the historic Ghost Town Trail, named for the long-abandoned Cambria & Indiana Railroad; the Ghost Town Trail connects Blacklick to Ebensburg passing through ten historic old coal mining towns.
Ghost Trail Rum is made from cane sugar and distilled on a small batch copper pot-still. Then aged with toasted oak and married with spices. Ghost Trail Dark Rum. You try the selection at their bar.
Find out more on Disobedient Spirits
Barrel 21 Distillery Tasting Room & Gift Shop
Located in State College, home to Penn State University is Barrel 21 Distillery which has built a reputation for rums that are true to their roots. The name is inspired by the 21st Amendment and the role Central Pennsylvania played in this. Each rum begins with premium Black Pearl Caribbean Molasses, lending every bottle a rich and distinctive character. Carefully distilled, the rums are crafted to highlight the natural depth and sweetness of molasses.
The line-up features 3 unique rums; the Light Rum, at 80 proof, embraces its heritage as a smooth, mixable spirit but offers a richer take with honey and caramel notes. Barrel 21 Spiced Rum, also 80 proof and featured on season 6 of Moonshiners: Master Distiller, honours Caribbean tradition by blending cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla for warmth, then adding depth through whiskey barrel aging. Finally, Barrel 21 Navy Strength Rum, bottled at 114 proof, is inspired by the bold, full-bodied rums enjoyed by sailors. Aged in bourbon barrels, it delivers intense flavours of oak, molasses, and a hint of bubble gum, capturing the essence of its storied maritime origins.
Visit Barrel 21’s Tasting Room & Gift Shop to sample these exceptional rums or enjoy them as craft cocktails in our restaurant and celebrate Pennsylvania-made spirits.
Find out more on Barrel 21 Distillery Tasting Room & Gift Shop
Big Spring Spirits
The distillery opened in July 2014 in Bellefonte, home of the eponymous Big Spring, their natural water source. Within 6 months, they started producing Big Spring White Rum, distilled from Caribbean Fancy Molasses. It is a full-flavored spirit, not a light-bodied silver rum. Later in 2015, we began producing Spiced and Coconut Rum. The coconut rum finishes with coconut, rather than a coconut-flavored liqueur.
They currently have coconut rum in a used whiskey barrel, and the plan is to bottle it at 70 proof after 9 months in oak. Visitors are welcomed to a beautiful tasting room and a cocktail menu with no fewer than 40 craft cocktails listed. There’s a small food menu. Tours of the distillery are by appointment, so it’s best to book in advance.
A new manufacturing facility is being built in a seven-story building with event space, a tasting room, and a rooftop bar on the South Shore of Pittsburgh that is slated to open in December. This will also have a tasting room inside the Scholar Hotel in downtown State College.
Find out more on Big Spring Spirits
Ridge and Valley
Part of the larger Appalachian Mountain range, this region features long, parallel ridges extending southwest to northeast. The Appalachian Trail follows these ridgelines, offering stunning views and challenging hikes. Known for its underground limestone caves and springs, significant elevation changes, and the historic Gettysburg battlefield—a pivotal moment in the American Civil War.
Midstate Distillery
Established in 2016, Harrisburg’s first distillery since Prohibition is family-owned and produces craft spirits and cocktails. They produce a wide range of spirits including rum. The Midstate White Rum is made from molasses.
In September 2022, Hershey Fresh Market introduced a bar serving craft cocktails and bottled spirits within their farmers market. In December 2022, they expanded to a tasting room in Windsor Park Plaza, Mechanicsburg. Now, their Cameron Street location is open for tours and tastings. With three locations near Harrisburg and Hershey’s Chocolate World, they offer a variety of experiences along the Susquehanna River.
Find out more on Midstate Distillery
KLYR Rum at Holy Water Distillery
Launched in 2021, KLYR is making waves in super-premium rum for its non-artificial, quality ingredients and unique hybrid distillation process combining column and pot stills to produce a refined and highly versatile spirit. Distilled 12 times and filtered 18 times, KLYR Rum is a super-premium crystal rum with no sugar, certified Kosher, gluten-free, no carbs, non-GMO, and 80 proof. Brown sugar and sugarcane are both sourced from American companies. The water is sourced from Pennsylvania aquifers. With purity as its guide, the KLYR team created a rum designed to be imbibed like vodka when mixing and enjoyed in classic cocktails.
Embodying the fun and freedom of iconic flavours, KLYR recently created patriotic-themed RTDs that capture the classic Americana spirit: ‘Sweet Tea of Freedom’, and ‘All-American Lemonade’ and debuting, ‘A More Perfect Union’ in November 2024. KLYR Rum and canned cocktails can be found in bars, restaurants, and retailers throughout Pennsylvania and 32 other states. You can enjoy a seasonal KLYR cocktail at Blue Bell Inn and canned cocktails at The Racquet Club of Philadelphia.
Find out more on KLYR Rum at Holy Water Distillery
Dead Lightning Distillery
In downtown New Cumberland, this distillery and retail store opened in 2018 makes a range of spirits including rums, flavoured vodkas, whiskey, and gin. Dead Lightning was started to preserve the memory of Skyler Montgomery who loved The Grateful Dead as well as moonshine, known as white lightning. Spiced & White Rum are limited edition rums made from molasses, cane sugar, brown sugar, yeast & water. The Spiced Rum has 16 spices and they are also making Beer Barrel Rum and Oak Aged Rum in limited quantities. You can try the rums at the bar.
Find out more on Dead Lightning Distillery
Hungry Run Distillery
Established in 2015 by Donald Logan and his wife Michelle at their home in Lewistown. The name Hungry Run derives from the small stream that runs through the property.
Ghost Rum Clear rum is made from blackstrap molasses and sugar. Off the still, it has an eerie appearance, which is where the name comes from. It’s then carbon-filtered. Spiced Rum is soaked in spices and Coconut Rum. Hungry Run Distillery has locations in Lewistown and Carlisle, which you can visit. The new tasting room is located outside Lewistown in a beautiful country setting and is now open.
Find out more on Hungry Run Distillery
Northeast Pennsylvania
The region includes the Pocono Mountains for skiing, hiking, and biking trails. With 18 state parks, it’s a popular gateway to the outdoors for visitors coming from New Jersey and New York.
Barley Creek Brewing Company
This brewery and distillery was founded in 1995 in Tannersville, the heart of the Pocono Mountains.
Making a wide range including vodka, whiskey, rum, gin, tequila, and moonshine. Barley Creek Rum is made entirely from molasses and an organic cane sugar base. They distill the rum twice, then age it in American oak barrels. The range includes Spiced Rum aged for a minimum of 6 months, with orange zest and a secret blend of natural spices. Silver Rum and Coconut Rum. As part of the Camelback Mountain Resort, a popular ski and waterpark resort you’ll find their rum here at the one-stop for food, in-house craft beers & spirits.
Find out more on Barley Creek Brewing Company
Southeast Pennsylvania
The region created 250 million years ago includes the Piedmont’s rolling hills in the west and the Atlantic Coastal Plain’s low-lying land along the Delaware River. Historically supporting agriculture since the 1700s, it’s now home to the Philadelphia metropolitan area and gateway to the Eastern Seaboard.
Bluebird Distilling
Founded by Jared Adkins in 2015 in Phoenixville this distillery and bar makes vodka, gin, rye, whiskey, agave, and rum. Bluebird Sugarcane Rum uses a high amount of cane sugar, aiming to emulate Rhum Agricole’s distilled in the early French Caribbean Islands. Bluebird Dark Rum is distilled from sugarcane and molasses, poured into freshly emptied Bluebird Four Grain Bourbon, Rye, and Wheat Whiskey barrels, and put to rest. These rums are available at the bar and they specialise in craft cocktails.
Find out more on Bluebird Distilling
3 Sisters Rum
In Schwenksville, 3 Sisters Rum first released rum in 2019. Designed to remember women pirates of days gone by. They have been distilling rum in copper stills since Fall 2023 and the first 3 Sisters Aged Rum batch will be available in Fall 2024 in limited quantities. 3 Sisters makes a range of Infused rum (Strawberry, Banana & Peach), 3 Sisters Rum White Rum is made with organic sugarcane and a hint of molasses, fermented and distilled on a Caribbean copper pot still. the 3 Sisters Rum Distillery is now open to visitors. Find out more on 3 Sisters Rum
Mermaid Spirits Distillery
Started in 2018 by Dr. David Johnston in the Huntingdon Valley Marketplace, they produce rum and vodka. The range includes Mermaid Spirits Martinique Style White Rum, and Mermaid Spirits Jamaica Style White Rum. Gold Tail Mermaid Aged Rum is finished in charred oak quarter casks that previously contained Pennsylvania rye whiskey. You can visit them Monday to Saturday in Huntingdon Valley.
Find out more on Mermaid Spirits Distillery
Pennsylvania Distilling Co
In Malvern, about an hour’s drive west of Philly, the distillery was founded in 2016 by Rich Buoni and Joe Amoroso. Inspired by early settlers in Pennsylvania, a new frontier, rum was produced on early stills to meet the needs of both locals and explorers. While the frontier land was intimidating, some early settlers considered it boundaryless and lived their lives to the fullest. Here’s to the prospect of living without boundaries. Frontier Explorer’s White Rum is made with molasses, fermented and distilled, resulting in a light-bodied rum. Frontier Explorer’s Gold Rum is rested in charred American oak barrels.
Find out more on Pennsylvania Distilling Co
Boardroom Spirits Distillery
In Lansdale founded in February 2016 by three partners and makes a range of spirits. Ship’s Cat White Rum is a blend of cane sugar and golden molasses that is distilled through the reflux column. Ship’s Cat Aged Rum is a blend of distilled blackstrap and cane sugar rums, aged in American Oak barrels and finished in Jamaican rum barrels. Ship’s Cat Spiced Rum uses white rum with additional flavours of vanilla, citrus, and other spices to create the spiced rum.
Find out more on Boardroom Spirits Distillery
Gallows Hill Spirits Co.
In Allentown, Gallows Hill is named after the 17th-century witch trials hanging in Salem. Tituba’s Silver Rum is made inspired by a Puerto Rican light rum style and Tituba’s Gold Rum is aged in once-used oak barrels.
Find out more on Gallows Hill Spirits Co.
County Seat Spirits
Named after the town’s County seat, the family-owned distillery started in 2014. With 2 locations; Allentown for the distillery & Easton is the tasting room and craft cocktail bar based in the Lehigh Valley. Sand Island Rum is their flagship sugar cane rum made from 100% non-GMO sugar cane. Amburana Aged Rum. In Easton, they host tastings, seasonal and classic craft cocktails, snacks, bottles, to-go cocktails, and gifts. Outdoor seating is available and live music Friday and Saturday evenings. Distilling takes place at their Allentown distillery, where you can book a tour in advance.
Find out more on County Seat Spirits
Triple Sun Spirits Co.
Triple Sun Spirits, a small-batch distillery crafting gin, rum, and whiskey, opened its doors in the picturesque town of Emmaus in 2016. Founded by Kristofer Kwant and named in honor of his three sons, the distillery is deeply rooted in the community. Their rum offerings include Triple Sun Golden Cask Rum and Light Rum Dark Cask Rum. Visitors can sample these spirits and savor handcrafted cocktails at their tasting rooms in Emmaus and Newtown.
Find out more on Triple Sun Spirits Co.
Social Still Distillery
In Bethlehem, Social Still distillery and restaurant were started by Adam Flatt who is committed to sustainability. In 2012, after visiting craft distilleries in Colorado, he setup the micro-distillery and kitchen in a former bank on the South Side. Bethlehem was a Steel empire, once the greatest producer of steel in the world during the Industrial Revolution.
Social Still Rum is a clear rum made from turbinado sugar, white cane sugar, and dark Caribbean molasses. White Witch Rum is a 50% molasses and 50% cane sugar blend. Barrel aged for one year in used rye whiskey barrels. Then it’s spiced with cinnamon, orange peel, vanilla, and anise. Stop by for brunch or a rum cocktail.
Find out more on Social Still Distillery
Otto Distilling Co.
Started in a quiet courtyard of South Philadelphia in the summer of 2022 by owner Tim Haas. It’s South Philadelphia’s first distillery making a variety of handcrafted, small-batch rums. Named after 4 men, all called Otto and related to the founder. The Otto White rum is copper pot distilled molasses rum. They have barrels of rum currently ageing for nearly a year for future releases. They offer tours, tastings, mixed drinks, and bottle sales from Thursday to Saturday.
Find out more on Otto Distilling Co.
New Liberty Distillery
Founded by Robert Cassell in 2014 after previously co-founding Philadelphia Distilling in 2005. In a vibrant north Philadelphia neighbourhood, just minutes from Center City. They have custom-made stills, as well as the rick house where we barrel age the whiskey. The Heritage Collection
Ships Haven Rare Gold Rum Stargazers Reserve is a tribute to those at the helm gazing into the endless night sky. Ships Haven Rare Gold Rum starts as Brazilian cane syrup fermented with a Martinique yeast strain. Aged for 6 years in American Oak. Ships Haven Port Aged Rum is aged in port wine barrels.
As a working distillery, they have a bottle shop and lounge where you can sample or buy the spirits or visit one of their events.
Find out more on New Liberty Distillery
Wrapping up this road trip, Pennsylvania has over 30 rum producers and you could start from Pittsburgh or Philadelphia with plenty of options to explore.
Where to Enjoy Rum in Pennsylvania
In addition to the tasting rooms, restaurants, and bars at the distilleries mentioned, here are some of the best Pennsylvania bars for rum. Don’t forget to pair with a Philly Cheesesteak when you’re there.
Boyertown: Tiki Bar
Erie: Rum Runners
Finleyville: Tiki Bar
Philadelphia: Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar, Bodega Bar & Kitchen, Mixto Restaurante, Bolo, Paladar Latin Kitchen King of Prussia, Tin Can Bar, The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Company, R&D Cocktail Bar, The Ranstead Room
Pittsburgh: Hidden Harbor, Tiki Lounge, Maggie’s Farm Strip District Barrelhouse, Acacia
Scranton: Backstreets Tiki Bar & Grille
Pennsylvania has much to offer rum lovers whether it’s a weekend getaway or seasonal vacation.
For more general travel advice check out Pennsylvania Tourism
For the full list of rum producers and travel planning use our Pennsylvania Rum Map
Thanks to the brands for contributing to this article, and permission to use their images. Other image credits to Canva Pro, and user contributions.
