Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries, the brainchild of Prentiss Orr and Barry Young, is just about ready to release Boyd &Blair Potato Vodka into liquor stores and restaurants statewide.
Because the two are big fans of vodka, they started kicking around the idea of opening their own business. After doing some research, Orr and Young realized they even could get some money to help them start the venture.
Orr and Young received a $165,000 state grant, which helped them with potato-and-vodka research through Penn State University.
Once the two found a building, they set up the distillery equipment and started making vodka. The company was formed in 2004, but the product is just about to hit the shelves this year.
The potatoes come from a facility near Harrisburg that collects the vegetable from co-ops across the state.
The two said they are unsure of exactly how much vodka they will produce this year, but Orr and Young are aiming to reach 200,000 cases per year in five years. They also want to expand soon into Ohio and New York.
