September is Virginia Spirits Month
If you follow me on Instagram, which you all should @TheCravingsQueen, you know how much I love a food and drink holiday. From National Bacon Day and National Wine Day to the more obscure holidays like National Noodle Ring Day in December and Egg Salad Week in April. One spirited holiday I can fully get behind is Virginia Spirits Month.
Throughout the month of September, the Virginia Distillers Association (VDA) and the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (Virginia ABC) support the Commonwealth’s distilled spirits industry with a month-long celebration.
Image from Virginia Distillers Association
“It’s 5 o’clock for 30 days,” according to the official Virginia Spirits Month 2020 tagline. The campaign, now in its fifth year, offers educational programs for consumers to learn more about Virginia’s craft spirit industry, while also celebrating this year’s 400th anniversary of Virginia as the “Birthplace of American Spirits.” Did you know that the first batch of corn whiskey was distilled right here in Virginia in 1620?
Needless to say, the Commonwealth has come a long way these past 400 years. Today, Virginia produces spirits from bourbon and whiskey to moonshine, vodka and rum, in over 70 distilleries. To honor the state’s thirst-quenching locally made libations, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Virginia-made spirits on my website and social media.
While we are still in a pandemic, you may want to get out to the distilleries and sample their offerings. The VDA website features an interactive trail map of Virginia distilleries. You can even filter locations that offer tours, to-go cocktails, tastings and more. Be sure to check with the distilleries before you go to see what changes they’ve made to on-site amenities amid COVID-19. There will also be virtual tastings and cocktail videos on the Virginia Distillers Association YouTube channel.
Virginia ABC retail locations will have many Virginia-made spirits on sale during Virginia Spirits Month, including a special one-day 20% off in-store purchase sale on Sept. 10. Click here to read more about the “Spirited Thursday” promotion.
Join me in celebrating Virginia Spirits Month all September long. Cheers!