County Seat Spirits Earns International Recognition for Craft Distilling Excellence

Barrel Finished Lock Keeper Gin -

Photo Credit - Evan Johnson at Stay Calm Industries

County Seat Spirits, a local craft distillery based in Allentown, continues to gain recognition for its commitment to quality and craftsmanship. Recent coverage highlights the distillery’s success at the 2026 American Distilling Institute (ADI) International Spirits Competition, where it earned nine medals across its portfolio, including top honors for its Lock Keeper Barrel Finished Gin.

At the competition, Lock Keeper Barrel Finished Gin was awarded Best of Class, Best of Category, and a Gold Medal, marking a significant achievement in one of the industry’s most competitive categories. Additional recognition included Silver Medals for Class 8 Vodka, La Maya Blanco Agave Spirit, River Valley Rye Whiskey, and Zero G Vodka, along with Bronze Medals for Hidden Copper Bourbon and Lock Keeper Gin.

Founded in 2014 by Anthony Brichta and John Rowe, County Seat Spirits was built from a shared passion for creating exceptional, small-batch spirits. Early in its growth, the company benefited from support at the Allentown Economic Development Corporation’s (AEDC) Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, where access to flexible financing, shared facilities, and small business programming helped the distillery establish its operations and scale production. From the beginning, the team has embraced a “grain-to-glass” approach, overseeing every step of the process from sourcing local grains to distilling, aging, and bottling to guarantee consistency and quality in every batch.

This recent international recognition marks an important milestone in the company’s ongoing growth, reflecting years of dedication to refining their craft and building a portfolio that stands out on a global stage.

Read the full WFMZ article below for more on this recognition and their continued success.