Also unique to Liberty Spirits is their popular cocktail program. The Houghs want to show people “Whiskey is more than a shot that goes along with a beer.” Four different cocktails are showcased each month made strictly with Liberty Pole whiskey, and syrups and liqueurs made only in Pennsylvania. These delicious cocktails are lovingly created by Ellen who is a creative and inventive mixologist. Customers rave about her monthly offerings and the rotating cocktail menu brings people back to sample other creations. Check out Liberty Pole’s cocktail blog at liber- typolespirits.com/blog. The blog features drinks made in the cocktail program. Your mouth is sure to water when seeing pictures of the delicious concoctions. Recipes and directions are included in each cocktail description so that you can even purchase a bottle of Liberty Pole whiskey and mix your favourite cocktails at home. Or, better yet, visit the Mingo Creek Craft Dis- tillery in person at 68 West Maiden Street. You will be welcomed by one of their four full time or eight part time knowledgeable and friendly employees. It is abundantly clear that people love working at the distillery as it promotes a comfortable, family environment. The good vibe, charming setting and incredible whiskey means that no one leaves the distillery in a bad mood. If you are from out of town and planning a special trip, the most exciting time to visit the distillery is during the Whiskey Rebellion Festival. The festival kicks off at the Bradford House, a home erected in 1788. A liberty pole is carried from the house throughout the streets of Washington on a closed parade route and ends outside the Mingo Creek Craft Distillery. It is in front of the Hough’s beloved distillery that the 25-foot pole proudly stands each summer. Building this successful brand, as with any new start up, was not without challenges. In the United States, it takes months to receive licens- ing from the federal government. You have to lease or own a building for set amount of time before operating in the space. Money is going out of pocket, before there is any chance to make a profit.
The biggest challenge though is getting local approval. The Hough family encountered a lot of hoops to jump through, including ensuring fire codes were up to standard as the distilling business was not one that officials had experi - ence with. However, overcoming these challenges was worth it. The community opened their arms to welcome the distillery and they have helped put the destination on the map for tourism. The city of Washington has been down on their luck over the last twenty years, so the revitalization of the craft beverage industry has breathed new energy into the community. Twelve other busi- nesses have launched nearby since the distillery opened its doors. Whiskey distilling in the region has also garnered interest. Hough says, “There is a friendly brother/ sisterhood among distillers.” And like theHoughs, the surrounding craft distillers subscribe to the philosophy that this camaraderie helps each to produce the best possible whiskey, and that this overall quality will represent the industry well. The biggest challenge that the company faces now is increasing capacity to keep up with the demand for their product, which is a pretty awesome problem to have. The Houghs have already doubled the size of their equipment and are now looking at other ways to produce more whiskey. They have been laying down full size 53 gallon barrels for the past 18 months and in the next few years all of their whiskey will be harvest- ed from these full size barrels. As years pass and whiskey continues to get older and better, the family plans to continue to do what they do best, and that is produce Washington’s finest whiskey. For more information about Liberty Pole Spirits by Mingo Creek Craft Distillers, check out their website at libertypolespirits.com, visit them at 68 West Maiden St. in Pennsylvania or pop them an email at info@mingocreekcraftdistillers.com.
“Whiskey is more than a shot that goes along with a beer.”
“There is a friendly b r o t h e r / s i s t e r h o o d among distillers.”
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SEPTEMBER 2020 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • SEPTEMBER 2020
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