Events

Bring on the dark, as distilleries across the country will open up their facilities to eager solar eclipse watchers on Aug. 21. Many will host viewing parties or multi-day festivals, while others plan to roll out eclipse-themed booze. With an emphasis on states where the eclipse can be viewed “in totality,” i.e., a total eclipse of the sun, here’s a list of spots to watch safely, your favorite drink in hand. Note: many of these events require advance tickets or registration. Oregon While the $500 “Distiller’s VIP Solar Eclipse Viewing” package at New Basin Distillery (Madras, OR) is a bit pricey, it includes a distillery tour, viewing glasses and an opportunity to fill your own bottle of Limited Edition Solar Eclipse Whiskey. For those who prefer wine to whiskey, many Willamette Valley wineries will host eclipse viewings, which include Eola Hills Wine Cellars, Redgate Vineyards and Stoller Family Estate. Wyoming The state’s wide-open vistas should make a great backdrop for the big event. Backwards Distilling (Mills, WY) will host an eclipse watch party ($75) that includes a specialty cocktail and live music. It will also feature a 307 Eclipse Edition Vodka. Elsewhere, Wyoming Whiskey (Kirby, WY) plans to release an Eclipse Edition Small Batch Bourbon. Missouri By the Missouri River, Pinckney Bend Distillery (New Haven, MO) will host Solarfest, which offers free admission, live music and specialty drinks. Meanwhile, Wood Hat Spirits (New Florence, MO) will treat a maximum of 100 guests to distillery tours, food and drink, live music by The Woodsmiths, ($75). Rocheport Distilling and Les Bourgeois Vineyards (Rocheport, MO) will celebrate the solar eclipse all weekend. The festivities will start with a new moonshine release from the distillery and finish with a “good old-fashioned BBQ.” Schlafly Beer (Bloomsdale, MO) created a special “Path of Totality” pack for its Helles-style lager. It also plans an Eclipse Field Trip ($45), which will bus participants from its taproom to the Dew Drop Inn for a backyard BBQ and eclipse viewing. Kentucky The weekend before the eclipse, festivities at Casey Jones Distillery (Hopkinsville, KY) kick off with live music by the Ridgetop Ramblers on Friday and balloon rides Saturday and Sunday. On the day of the eclipse, $50 nets you public parking to view the big event. Total Eclipse Moonshine also will be offered. MB Roland Distillery (Pembroke, KY) will host an Eclipse Weekend festival that features food trucks, viewing glasses, MB Roland slushies, and local craft beer and wine. Day passes are $5 per person, or $25 per vehicle. Tennessee Old Glory Distilling Co. (Clarksville, TN) will roll out bottles of Solar Shine. In addition, the All-American Total Solar Eclipse Party ($75) will include live music, special-edition cocktails, Solar Shine T-shirts and games. South Carolina Chattooga Belle Farm (Long Creek, SC) will hold an eclectic Eclipse Fest. Located on a farm, activities will include fruit picking, distillery tours and tastings, astronomy talks and even a drum circle. Dark Sky Vodka will be the commemorative vodka for solar eclipse. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $35 for VIP access.