Homegrown distiller opening Confluence moonshine 'Shack'

David Hurst, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

May 4—CONFLUENCE, Pa. — A Somerset County family that launched a craft distillery last fall is opening a retail tasting room in Confluence called The Shine Shack.

But Family Traditions Distillery's Appalachian roots date back 150 years, co-founders Joe and Jennifer Basinger said.

"Moonshine runs back a long time in Joe's family," Jennifer Basinger said with a laugh, adding that it likely started with "good ol' boys" crafting recipes in backyard stills.

It's all legal now.

Family Traditions Distillery, which also includes business partner Mark Kimmel, received its state license to operate in the fall, she said.

But many of the recipes are ones that have been time-tested and perfected, handed down to Joe Basinger from his cousin, Donald "Pap" Rugg.

Rugg, now 88, was taught to distill spirits by his relatives generations ago.

Joe Basinger said he has been making and bottling all-rye moonshine in their state-licensed Draketown distillery since the fall.

Blackberry and watermelon moonshines are among their most popular styles, as well as the Spicy Pickle, "which tastes great in a Bloody Mary," the Basinger family said.

The license allows them to sell the products on the premises.

But The Shine Shack, which they plan to formally open May 11, is the first location designed to host folks who want to have a drink or try a sample in house, Jennifer Basinger added.

The Shine Shack is located at 476 Hughart St., Confluence.

She said the space features a bar-style tasting room and tables for people to relax and buy a few drinks.

Officials from the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the opening with them during a ribbon-cutting May 11.

Fittingly, "Pap" Rugg will join the group to cut the ribbon.

"This has been a life dream of my husband's," Jennifer Basinger said of the endeavor, "so we're definitely excited."

She said the location also includes an outdoor patio.

Food sales will be offered by visiting food trucks on weekends and during special occasions, Jennifer Basinger said.

The Shine Shack has interior space to grow and, if all goes well, the retail space will be expanded in the coming years, she said.

"We'll take it one year at a time and see how it takes off," she said.