Step back in time and party like it is 1933! Yay! The18th Amendment has been repealed! Joplinites can enjoy the free flow of liquor again! Celebrate with us at a Whisky Tasting & Food Pairing event on Saturday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. hosted by Historic Murphysburg Preservation, Inc. Whisky & Whispers: A Reflection on Prohibition will be held at The Main Event, 611 South Main Street in downtown Joplin on Historic Missouri Route 66. 1930’s dress attire is welcomed.
Grant Testerman, our whisky sommelier will facilitate the event by teaching guests how to enjoy various types of whisky and food that is best paired with them. Included in the tasting, 5 top shelf Whiskies, Wilders signature whisky tasting glasses, food pairings, tasting note cards, and history interpreters will be provided. Guests can also purchase raffle tickets before and during the event for a chance to take home premium bottles of specialty whiskies and more.
Your $125 ticket will include 5 whisky tastings & food pairings. Our top shelf libations are from Japan, Kentucky, Ireland (the Quiet Man 8 Year), and Tom’s Town Distillery out of Kansas City, Missouri. Our feature is the “unicorn” Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon. The food pairings will bring out the flavor of these choice liquors. Our commemorative tasting glasses are sponsored by Wilder’s Steakhouse. Every taster will receive a commemorative glass with the historic Wilders Steakhouse logo. Our guests will learn how Vern Wilder played a colorful roll in in Joplin during Prohibition!
If you don’t want to be in on the tasting but want to come and have fun and learn about prohibition, purchase a $50 companion ticket. It will include 2 bootlegger drinks sponsored Tall Pines Distillery (peach moonshine).
All guests will be treated to a harvest of beautiful charcutiers style food & great music. The Main Event will have their bar open to purchase beverages to keep the fun going through the evening.
Thank you Wilder’s Steakhouse & Tall Pines Distillery out of Pineville, Missouri!
TICKETING – Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door for $125 per person for the whisky tasting, special seating. $50 per person for a companion bar & couch seating. Guests must be 21 years old to attend. Be prepared to show ID. For tickets or additional info contact paula@murphysburg.org or by calling Paula Callihan at (417) 208-9376. Check out website for updates at murphysburg.org
The Volstead Act and the 18th Amendment caused the sale and consumption of liquor to become illegal and was commonly referred to as “Prohibition.” All liquor sales had to end by January 16, 1920. However, local newspapers reported that after Prohibition was ratified, Joplin remained a “wet oasis” in the Four-State thanks to bootlegging.
But many residents saw the benefit of having the country and Joplin go “dry.” Men and women were active in the Anti-Saloon League of America and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. One of the slogans attributed to the WCTU is “Lips that touch whiskey are lips that will never touch mine.” Prohibition ended with the 21st Amendment in 1933.
How do you like your whisky? Drinking whiskey is a personal experience – there’s no right or wrong way to drink whiskey as long as you savor the flavor.
Neat: Room temperature with nothing added allows you to experience its full complex flavor profile.
On The Rocks: Adding ice chills the whisky, providing a refreshing drink that slowly dilutes the spirit as the ice melts, want a slower melts try a big cube.
With a Slash of Water: A small splash of water can mellow the whisky’s harshness and help release its subtle aromas and flavors
Whisky Stones: Freezer safe cubes made of soapstone, metal or marble provide chill without diluting your spirit.
Murphysburg Treasure Hunt