Art in the Age

Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, commonly known as Art in the Age, is a spirits brand, bar and retail store based in Philadelphia, PA. Art in the Age is known for producing small spirits and artisan goods.
History
Art in the Age was founded in 2008 by Steven Grasse and originally focused on artisan-made goods including clothing and housewares. The store also hosted performances by local musicians and artists. The shop's name was inspired by Walter Benjamin's 1935 essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction".
Art in the Age’s original line of spirits began in 2008 with ROOT, an 80-proof cordial inspired by a Native American recipe for root tea, the precursor to root beer.
In 2011, the brand was then acquired by William Grant & Sons, who had previously partnered with Grasse on Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendrick's Gin.
Art in the Age introduced several other spirits including SNAP, which was flavored like the Pennsylvania Dutch lebkuchen or ginger snap, and RHUBARB which was based on an alcoholic rhubarb tea recipe by Benjamin Franklin. SAGE was a “garden gin” produced without juniper berries. ROOT, SNAP, SAGE, and RHUBARB were discontinued in early 2017.
In 2015, Grasse took the brand back from William Grant & Sons, and released an experimental line of seasonal infusions from the Art in the Age Test Kitchen. The first three spirits in this line were showcased at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, with the Art in the Age Beet Vodka earning a double gold medal, and Sweet Potato and Chicory vodkas both winning gold.
In late 2017, the Art in the Age shop in Philadelphia underwent a renovation to include a bar and bottle shop. When it reopened, the shop began stocking spirits from their sister company Tamworth Distilling as well as New Liberty Distillery. The bar was awarded “Best Secret Bar” in 's 2019 Best of Philly rankings.

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