BARREL 21 DISTILLERY & DINING
Barrel 21 Distillery & Dining is an ode to the role Central Pennsylvania played in moving the United States towards the ratification of the 21st Amendment.
Unique Spirits. Resourcefulness. Local Ingredients. Community.
A LEGACY BORN FROM PROHIBITION
In 1919, the 18th Amendment ushered in Prohibition, a nationwide ban on alcohol that aimed to cure society’s ills—but instead inspired a new wave of ingenuity. Across America, bootleggers found creative ways to distill and distribute spirits in secret, giving rise to speakeasies, hidden recipes, and the cocktail culture we know today.
When city operations became too risky, rural communities—like those tucked into the ridges and valleys of Central Pennsylvania—took the lead. Here, the natural limestone-rich water and abundance of grains made the region ideal for producing whiskey. Bootlegging became a community craft, often seen less as rebellion and more as resourcefulness.
Among the most legendary figures was Prince Farrington, known as the King of Bootlegging and the Robin Hood of Central Pennsylvania. Farrington made a fortune during the Prohibition era, but he also gave much of it back—helping rebuild homes, feed families, and repair local churches. His story embodies the grit, generosity, and spirit of this region.
When the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition, it marked not only the return of legal distilling but the restoration of a proud American tradition.
That’s where Barrel 21 takes its name—Barrel for the craft of aging fine spirits, and 21 for the amendment that brought them back. Today, we honor that legacy by distilling and dining in the same spirit of creativity, community, and craftsmanship that shaped Central Pennsylvania a century ago.
FROM BREWERY TO BARREL
After more than a decade of success with Otto’s Pub and Brewery, we found ourselves inspired to explore another side of the craft beverage world. Brewing and distilling may seem worlds apart, but both begin with the same foundation—grain, fermentation, yeast, heat, and patience. The difference lies in transformation: where brewing turns grain into a flavorful beer, distilling refines that same foundation into a spirit with depth, complexity, and character.
With this curiosity as the catalyst, co-owner Charlie Schnable and a small team of dedicated brewers decided to teach themselves the art of distilling. They started much like the early innovators of the Prohibition era—experimenting, learning by doing, and building something from the ground up. Recipes were developed through trial and error, notes were scribbled in the margins, and each small batch taught a new lesson.
That hands-on spirit led to the creation of Barrel 21 Distillery & Dining, a place where craftsmanship meets community. From the start, the vision wasn’t just to make spirits—it was to create an experience rooted in Central Pennsylvania. Every bottle and every plate reflects the same philosophy: locally-sourced ingredients, thoughtfully crafted, and meant to be shared.
The grains in our whiskeys come from nearby farms, we use seasonal produce and beef that is grown right here in the valley, and our team works closely with local partners who share our passion for quality and sustainability. Just as the 21st Amendment once revived a lost tradition, Barrel 21 reimagines it for a new generation—celebrating the heritage of distilling with a distinctly local touch.