More than a century after closing its doors, H. Obernauer & Co. 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.
A historic Pittsburgh whiskey company originally founded in 1885, 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.
