The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) has partnered with the Virginia Spirits Board and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) in celebrating September as Virginia Spirits Month.
In celebration of this month, Virginia ABC and the Virginia Spirits Board present the Virginia Spirits Sale-A-Bration. This month-long sale features a 20% discount on more than 150 Virginia-made spirits, including bourbon, moonshine, gin, vodka and ready-to-drink cocktails.
This designation also recognizes the commonwealth’s history of spirits, and highlights more than 100 licensed distilleries that call the state home.
“Virginia-made spirits are earning national and global recognition,” says CEO Travis Hill. “Virginia ABC is proud to support the present and future of distilling in the commonwealth.”
Virginia’s distilled spirits industry is a major contributor to the commonwealth’s economy. In 2017, the industry maintained nearly 1,500 full-time jobs and had an economic impact of more than $163 million. Virginia distilleries have also become popular agritourism destinations as they attract thousands of visitors each year.
“Virginia distillers have a very close relationship with the state’s agricultural and forestry industries,” says VDACS Commissioner Joseph Guthrie. “From purchasing grains and fruits from local producers, providing spent mash to farmers for feed and fertilizer, to purchasing barrel wood components that originate from Virginia’s forests, these industries play an important role in the production of Virginia distilled spirits.”
Virginia distillers source more than 70% of their ingredients from Virginia farms, including corn, wheat, barley, rye, potatoes and fruits. Distillers in the state also source finishing components such as new barrels and bottles or used cider, wine and beer barrels.
“We are proud to celebrate the Commonwealth’s rich history of spirits production during Virginia Spirits Month alongside Virginia ABC and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,” says Jack Gorman, executive director of the Virginia Spirits Board Marketing Office. “We are excited to spread the word about all of Virginia’s craft distillers and the quality products they make. As a bonus this year, the Virginia Spirits Board invites spirits fans to join in on the new Virginia Spirits Passport by checking in at each participating distillery they visit.”
For more information on Virginia Spirits Month and Virginia-made products, visit abc.virginia.gov/products/virginia-products.
