Questions

If there were two things that put Pittsburgh on the global stage, it was steel and whiskey. The Bessemer Process allowed for efficient and inexpensive steel production on an impressive scale during the second half of the 19th century. This was also the period when Pennsylvania distillers were making some of the world’s most prized whiskeys; big and bold rye whiskeys with character that were made by people of character. Bessemer is our tribute to that nearly forgotten time when Pittsburgh was synonymous with industry and rye whiskey.

Iron City Distilling is our home base. It’s where we make the whiskeys and gin that go into our Bessemer bottles. Located on the shore of the Allegheny River in Creighton, PA, we’re conveniently located just 20 minutes away from downtown Pittsburgh.

The iconic beer of Pittsburgh, Iron City Beer, is produced by Pittsburgh Brewing Company which is also our sister company. They make damn fine beer and we make some damn fine whiskey, but we’re two different companies with different people. Occasionally we collaborate on some projects but Iron City Distilling and Bessemer are really our own separate thing.

Iron City Distilling was founded in 2022 when our sister company, Pittsburgh Brewing Company, was having their new brewery built in Creighton, Pennsylvania. Sitting along the beautiful banks of the Allegheny River, our owner thought it was the perfect location to build a world class distillery. Upon hiring Matt Strickland as their consultant to help design the distillery and eventually run it, the team quickly realized that their focus should be on recreating the long lost style of Pre-Prohibition Pennsylvania Rye.

Bessemer Rye isn’t just MADE in Pennsylvania, it is made OF Pennsylvania. Every last kernel of grain we use in our pre-Prohibition style Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey is grown in the state of PA. Our malt is malted just over 30 minutes away in Fenelton, PA. Even the oak in our barrels is harvested from Pennsylvania forests. Our state has a lot of flavor and character to offer and it proudly shows in our Bessemer Rye Whiskey.

We’re at 150 Ferry Street, Creighton, Pennsylvania on the Pittsburgh Brewing Company campus.

Absolutely! We offer tours and a wide array of events that give you an opportunity to come into our distillery and learn and explore. Check out our tours and events pages for more information about how to schedule your visit.

Our distillers are pretty easy-going and friendly folks, but unfortunately, due to our production schedule we are not open for “walk ins”. If you’d like to see our distillery and learn about how we make Bessemer spirits, please book a tour or come out to one of our many events.

Simple. Because you like whiskey and/or history. Because you are an awesome human being that loves to learn about other awesome human beings making awesome stuff. Because you want a little taste of liquid history. (It helps that the whiskey and gin are delicious.)