Pennsylvania Rye Revival Continues With Return Of Legacy Brand

More than a century after closing its doors, H. Obernauer & Co., a historic Pittsburgh whiskey company originally founded in 1885, is returning home. As part of the brand revival, the company will establish its future home at 2613 Smallman Street in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, where a tasting room is planned to open in the coming months.

The announcement marks the return of a forgotten Pittsburgh whiskey name. At a time when Pennsylvania was among the nation’s leading whiskey-producing regions, a German immigrant named Herman Obernauer built a successful whiskey business based on a simple principle: “My word is as good as my bond.” As a whiskey rectifier and blender, he earned a reputation for quality and integrity; he personally stood behind the quality of his products by putting his name on the label.

After the company’s closure in 1915, the H. Obernauer & Co. name gradually faded from memory.

That changed when Herman’s great-great-grandson, Matthew Obernauer, uncovered the family’s forgotten whiskey legacy and set out to restore a piece of Pittsburgh history.

“As a whiskey-maker, Herman was successful thanks to his dedication to quality, craftsmanship, and integrity,” said Matthew Obernauer, owner and Chief Revival Officer of H. Obernauer & Co. “We’re proud to revive his legacy and begin a new chapter for a name that still upholds those values.”

Additional details regarding the tasting room experience, whiskey portfolio, and opening plans will be announced in the coming months.