A toast to PA tubers // State vodka gets strong start
Patriot-News, The (Harrisburg, PA) - September 4, 2008
Author: For the Patriot-News
If you're a locavore, you try to eat foods that are grown or processed within the vicinity of a certain region or state. It's not an easy feat, but it's one that is encouraged in today's food trends, and it benefits local farmers. As for drinks, options are often limited to local microbreweries that brew beers and sodas with local ingredients -- until recently.
As of a few weeks ago, Pennsylvania's first vodka, Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka, is now on store shelves.
Made northeast of Pittsburgh in Shaler by two guys who simply enjoy what they do, the creation of Boyd & Blair was a lot about bringing business back to Pennsylvania. Partners Prentiss Orr and Barry Young believe in a product they love and in perpetuating sustainability.
Above everything else, "We wanted to use Pennsylvania product," Orr said.
Boyd & Blair is made with Pennsylvania potatoes from Keystone Potato Products, just 45 minutes north of Harrisburg.
Vodka can be made from potatoes or grain, including corn.
But Orr prefers potatoes. "Potato has more mouth feel and seems smoother to me," he said. Orr said potato vodka is sweeter, and he thinks Boyd & Blair does have a sweet front to it.
Second, Pennsylvania grows a lot of potatoes for our ample potato chip industry. Orr said potatoes have sold for 8 cents a pound for the last 16 years, and finding a use beyond chips would raise the value and therefore, price, for local potato farmers.
Orr and Young found a shelf-stable product through Keystone, which also processes the vegetable for the makers of Mrs. T's Pierogies and others. This way, Boyd & Blair always will have access to Pennsylvania potatoes year-round.
The duo complement each other well. Orr said their individual strengths fill in weaknesses in the other. "He has all the skill sets I don't have," Orr said. "And I have the ones he doesn't."
Orr's background is in advertising and communications, having worked for the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. Young, on the other hand, ran several for-profit companies primarily in pharmacological services.
The pair have fun and enjoy the process. Orr and Young make each batch of vodka by hand, without any computer or digital processes, from the mashing of the potato to the signing of each bottle. What they feel that creates is a classic, high-quality vodka meant for sipping.
The liquor is named for the duo's respective patriarchal influences. Boyd is Young's late father-in-law; Blair is Orr's great-grandfather.
Already, the vodka has found fast popularity, particularly in Pittsburgh. In the first two weeks, Orr said they had shipped 600 cases to state liquor stores. He credits a healthy public relations buzz and a surprising response from restaurants that wanted to make the vodka available.
Locally, Boyd & Blair is available at select stores for about $30; see list for locations. For more information about Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka, visit www.boydandblair.com.
SARA BOZICH : sara. bozich @gmail.com and SaraBozich.com. Celebrate responsibly.
INFOBOX:
WHERE TO GET IT:
* West Shore Plaza Shop, 1200 Market St., Lemoyne, 731-7143.
* Carlisle Marketplace, 281 S. Spring Garden St., Carlisle, 249-8159.
* Mechanicsburg Plaza, 5301 Simpson Ferry Road, Hampden Twp., 506-8070.
* Suite 250, 6560 Carlisle Pike, Silver Spring Twp., 795-6327.
* East Penn Center, 736 Wertzville Road, East Pennsboro Twp., 728-2579.
* Kmart Shopping Center, 5070 Jonestown Road, Lower Paxton Twp., 671-0435.
* Hershey Square Shop Center, 1158 Mae St., Derry Twp., 534-2494.
* Village of Oakhurst Shop Center, 4404 Oakhurst Blvd., Susquehanna Twp., 540-7494.
* The Point Shopping Center, 4227 Union Deposit Road, Lower Paxton Twp., 558-6485.
* Swatara Square, 6301 Grayson Road, Suite A118, Swatara Twp., 558-6494.
* One Stop Shop, 731 Cherry Drive, Hershey, 534-2810.