I have to visit craft breweries on any vacation, but since writing the book Distilled in Boston, I now have to check out craft distilleries too! In addition to mapping out historic sites on a recent trip to Philadelphia, I just had to stop at Stateside Vodka, one of America’s premier vodka distilleries.
Going Stateside
Stateside Vodka is unlike many of the distilleries that I have visited. The one major spirit they feature is the one that many distilleries take no stock in. When mentioning vodka, I have heard more than once that since the goal is to be tasteless, it is not worth promoting. As vodka is considered a gateway spirit for many cocktail connoisseurs, it is often overlooked in lieu of spirits with a distinct taste such as bourbon or gin.
Where others may turn up their noses, Stateside Vodka flips the script. Instead of bypassing this “merely clear” spirit, Stateside stays there and relishes making an excellent spirit. Stateside was founded by the Quigley brothers who, after trial and error at home, honed their craft first at Michigan State and then with consultation from a world-renowned vodka distillery in Poland before bringing their results back “stateside.”
Vodka and More
Since perfecting their recipes, Stateside has grown substantially, becoming Pennsylvania’s best-selling spirit. It is found in many of the region’s bars and stores with their reach throughout the mid-Atlantic and beyond. Closer to home for me, their canned vodka sodas can even be found in local package stores in New England. The vodka itself, smooth and sippable neat or on the rocks, also provides the perfect accompaniment for any cocktail.
Stateside Bar
Time to check out their tasting room/bar. Their vodka is the perfect accompaniment for any cocktail such as the delicious ones served at their distillery bar such as the Scent of a Mule or Dirtier and Grittier, including onion infused vodka with red pepper and olive juice. Whichever the cocktail, Stateside vodka is versatile and enhances any vodka-based cocktail.
At the distillery I enjoyed a raspberry mule but then shifted gears for my second beverage. They have two collections of canned cocktails, vodka sodas, and their Surfside brand, which is a canned cocktail of their vodka with either tea or lemonade (or both). The lemon cucumber mint vodka soda is superb. With no artificial flavors, the lemon and cucumber tastes come alive in this drink.
Distillery Tour
The tasting room at Stateside Vodka has an industrial feel but is also open and bright. With a long bar top and a few assorted tables, there is an array of seating options. At the bar, order a house-made cocktail, a canned cocktail, or taste a few samples.
To enrich your visit, head to the back room for a tour of the distillery. Learn how the business grew and the process of the actual distillation. Fun fact, Stateside was even served when the Democratic National Convention came to town in 2016!
If you’re like me and need to include a visit to a craft distillery in your vacation itinerary, check out Stateside Vodka the next time you visit Philadelphia to see why Stateside has changed the vodka game.
