Midstate Distillery sits in Harrisburg’s Midtown district on North Cameron Street, housed in a converted industrial building that owner and head distiller Rob Cassell transformed into Pennsylvania’s capital city’s first craft distillery. Cassell, a former telecommunications engineer who caught the distilling bug after years of homebrewing, opened Midstate in 2014 with a mission to create premium spirits using locally sourced grains and traditional copper pot stills. The 3,000-square-foot facility produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and gin in small batches, with Cassell handling everything from mashing to bottling with help from a small dedicated team. What started as a side project in his garage evolved into a full-scale operation when Cassell realized Harrisburg had no local distillery despite being surrounded by Pennsylvania’s rich agricultural region. The space combines industrial elements from the building’s past with modern distilling equipment, creating an atmosphere that’s both functional and welcoming to visitors who want to see spirits made from grain to glass. Midstate focuses on quality over quantity, producing around 1,000 cases annually across their core lineup while experimenting with barrel finishes and limited releases that showcase Pennsylvania ingredients.