BROOKVILLE, Pa. – It’s been one year since real handmade moonshine came to Jefferson County with the opening of Blackbird Distillery, just off Maplevale Road in Brookville, and owners David Jr., and Jennifer Black couldn’t be more thankful for the public’s response.
The Blacks didn’t know exactly what to expect when they opened their doors on March 26th, 2014, but they certainly didn’t expect the thousands of people that have flocked to the distillery over the past year.
Jennifer Black said, “Never in a million years did we think that we would get this type of response. We are just so appreciative of our wonderful customers.”
The Blacks are amazed at how the word has spread, and they greet customers from all over the country on a daily basis.
“California, Ohio, Tennessee, Florida, Maine, people just keep hearing about us.” Jennifer – affectionately known around the distillery as Mrs. B – exclaimed.
Blackbird Distillery has even garnered a little bit of national attention, with an appearance on SiriusXm Satellite radio’s The Highway.
“The Highway is a country music station, and every Friday they do a Music Row Happy Hour, and listeners come into the studio and bring gifts from their area to the radio hosts,” Jennifer explained, “One week there were visitors from Pittsburgh. and they brought Blackbird Moonshine!”
Jennifer thinks that interacting with the people is the most fun part of her new business. She considers the job to be part customer service, and part improvisational acting, as she greets her customers with a thick hillbilly accent, creating a complete experience for customers as they enter the distillery.
“We love learning about people and always ask them where they’re from and what type of work they do. One guy we talked to here was an over-the-road truck driver,” recalled Black. “We asked him the craziest thing he ever hauled, and he told us that he had once driven a truck loaded with 2 million dollars in dimes.”
As their following has grown in the past year so has their product selection. Originally offering ten distinct flavors of real moonshine, the Blacks have added Hot Cinnamon and Root Beer to their shine selection, with more flavors to come soon.
“We’re working on some new flavors as we speak, and we have a big space on the wall that’s covered with brown paper where customers can make suggestions.”
Some of the most interesting suggestions that they’ve received – “Cabbage, Bacon, and Tomato Shine,” Mrs. B replied.
While Blackbird Distillery has established a reputation for their moonshine, made completely by hand from grains to bottles, their food selection has plenty of people talking, too. Blackbird sells smoked meats and cheeses, including smoked cheddar cheese bologna, leek bologna, smoked pork and beef jerky, and hot sticks. They also carry a delectable variety of canned goods and sauces, too, all homemade right at the distillery. They started out with recipes like hot mustard, polish dill pickles, and salsa, and have continued to expand their selection to keep up with customer demand.
“We’ve started making Hillbilly Hot Dog Sauce, Steak Sauce, Black Cherry Moonshine BBQ Sauce and Wing Sauce – people like it, so we just keep thinking up new stuff,” Jennifer said with a smile.
In addition to their moonshine, canned goods, and smoked meats and cheeses, Blackbird Distillery carries a nice selection of souvenirs to document your trip. Popular items include Blackbird t-shirts and “Shine On” boxer shorts, along with Blackbird Distillery Flasks and shot glasses shaped like mini mason jars. They also offer gifts baskets for any budget and will deliver food baskets in the Brookville area. And, of course, no visit to Blackbird Distillery would be complete with a set of complimentary hillbilly teeth.
“People come in with a big group of friends, or with their kids, and they have a blast trying on the teeth and acting goofy,” Jen laughed. “They love getting their picture taken with the teeth and then seeing it on our Facebook page.”
Blackbird Distillery is located at 93 Blackout Alley, just off of Maplevale Road in Brookville, and they are open Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blackbirdmoonshine, and visit their website at www.blackbirddistillery.com to get the latest news on their anniversary celebration.
For more information, call 814-849-0915.
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