Watch CBS News

Strip District Rum Distillery Nominated As One Of The 10 Best In America

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Maggie's Farm rum has won a batch of medals since the craft distillery opened in the Strip District. Behind the copper covered bar is the room where make the rum - in large copper kettles.

Owner Tim Russell began making rum in the old warehouse less than three years ago.

"These are actually fermenters, reclaimed dairy tanks that we got from a farm in Hagerstown, Maryland," he says, walking past a row of stainless steel containers.

He says he tired of his day job.

"I had to do it. The life I was living previously, working a lot of hours for someone else. I figured I could do a lot better putting that time in for myself," he says.

The name was inspired by Bob Dylan's line, "I ain't gonna work on Maggie's Farm no more."

The bar is open Friday through Sunday nights. In a recent competition of 400 distilleries in Chicago, Maggie's Farm rum won two gold medals.

To top that, Russell says, "One of those two gold medal rums actually won 'Best in Show.'"

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

Now he says the public can get involved.

"I got an email from the editor of the 'Ten Best' portion of USA Today to mention that we had been nominated as one of the 10 best rum distillers in America," Russell said. "The public's voting, and as of right now we're two days into the competition and we're sitting at number one."

Fans can vote once a day till Sept. 12. The owner says rum is an underrated beverage.

"There's a rum for everybody. They just don't know it yet," he says.

To cast your vote, "Maggie's Farm" is listed as "Allegheny Distilling" at: http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-craft-rum-distillery/allegheny-distilling/share/

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.