Absinthe Tasting

Hudson Beach Glass’s Absinthe tasting with Philadelphia Distilling and Triumph Brewery is an awesome opportunity to taste this misunderstood spirit. Radical Artist and poets like Vincent Van Gogh, Oscar Wilde, and Picasso were known Absinthe drinkers. However, by 1915 Absinthe was banned in the United States and most of Europe. And while it was claimed the prohibition was due to Absinthe’s “addictive psychoactive” nature there is no evidence that Absinthe is more dangerous than other spirits. The censure of Absinthe was not the fault of the anise-flavored spirit but rather the revolutionary ideas of the men who enjoyed the company of the so called “green fairy” (named the spirits bright green color). Social Conservatives and Prohibitionist worked tirelessly until the spirit was banned throughout the Western World.

The Absinthe being poured on September 17th is the first distilled, bottled and sold on the east coast since 1912. Vieux Carré Absinthe Supérieure is produced by Philadelphia Distilling, it pays tribute to the unique and colorful history of Absinthe in New Orleans. Vieux Carré Absinthe's flavor and color (a bright green) are derived exclusively from 100% natural herbs including the "holy trinity" of authentic absinthe: Grande Wormwood, Fennel and & Green Anise.

We will be tasting this gorgeous spirit two ways, including the "Classic" where ice cold water is slowly dripped through a sugar cube placed on the edge of the glass. The cold water causes Vieux Carré to louche into an opalescent cloud as the herbal essences and essential oils emerge from the Absinthe. Meredith Maciolek from Philadelphia Distilling will be doing the honors of pouring the Absinthe. Triumph Brewery will pair several appetizers with the herbal spirit. It will be exciting to see what their chef comes up with.

Guests will use our rocks glasses to taste the cocktails. Hand-made in our Strawberry Street studio, our rocks glasses are the perfect cup for elegant, strong cocktails. . While Absinthe is poured in the gallery, Sean Gilvey, the co-owner of HBG Philly, will be in the hot shop showing you how he makes the rocks glasses. At the end of the evening everyone gets to take home a glass all their own (a $36 value).

The tasting takes place Friday, September 17th from 6:30-8:30 at our Strawberry Street location. Tickets cost $36 and include a rocks glass to take home. You can get your tickets by calling the shop 267-319-1887 or online at hudsonbeachglass.ticketleap.com.