Don't fear the whiskey
Heinz Field is the place to raise your spirits tonight.
More than 100 whiskeys -- from Scottish to Canadian, blended to single malt -- will be celebrated at the inaugural Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival, which kicks off at 6 p.m. in the stadium's West Club Lounge.
Do not be afraid to bottle hop, local whiskey expert Max Miller said.
"Experiment," said Miller, managing partner of Raise Your Spirits, in Pine, which markets luxury liquor tastings. "Sometimes people are intimidated by whiskey. Try one first, then add a splash of spring water. It cuts back some of that alcohol bite that some people might not be able to tolerate."
Whiskey's roots are rich in western Pennsylvania, dating back to the late 1700s. Production in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette and Washington counties during the 19th century accounted for about one-fourth of the country's whiskey stills, according to festival organizers.
And though production has long left this region, whiskey has grown in popularity in recent years, said Ana Jovancicevic, spokeswoman for the Washington, D.C.-based Distilled Spirits Council.
"Some brown spirits are a little intimidating to people, but that's changing," she said.
Entering the whiskey genre isn't as simple as swiping some of your old man's Wild Turkey.
As with wine tasting, samplers should have an open mind and savor the flavor to find what they like.
Admire the hue, smell the aroma and sip the whiskey, letting it roll over the tongue.
Adding a touch of spring water to straight whiskey on subsequent tastes will help draw out other flavors in the whiskey, Miller said.
During dinner, whiskey complements a variety of dishes. Glenfiddich and Glenlivet go well with game dishes such as quail, duck and venison, Miller said. Seafood such as salmon also goes well with scotches such as Laphroaig, he said.
Before or after dinner, Jovancicevic said, try your whiskey with cigars, cheese and chocolate.
"All those," she said, "are wonderful combinations."
Whiskey primer
Whiskey: American version
Whisky: Scottish version (note no "e")
Scotch: Made in Scotland, aged at least three years, primarily made from barley. Glenfiddich and Glenlivet are examples of single malts. Dewar's and Johnnie Walker are examples of blends.
Bourbon: Made in the United States; at least 51 percent made from corn; includes mix of corn, rye and malted barley; aged at least two years in new oak barrels. Jim Beam is an example. Additional Information:
Pittsburgh Whiskey Festival
When: 6-9 p.m. today
Where: West Club Lounge at Heinz Field
Tickets: $95
Details: 412-281-2681