Christian Simmons wouldn’t mind working 15-hour days, seven days a week.
With boundless energy and enthusiasm, the founder and owner of Pennsylvania Libations hustles to build his boozy empire.
Simmons grew up in Ligonier and was, in his own words, “incorrigible.” Traditional schooling was not his cup of tea, so he left before graduation, got his GED and moved to Bend, Ore., where he racked up awards and local sponsorship deals for his snowboarding abilities.
He also worked part-time as a fry cook at Deschutes Brewery, a stalwart on the craft beer scene since 1988. Making good beer, he thought, seemed like a good business to get into. A chance encounter with an old friend provided him with that very opportunity.
Simmons had just returned to Pennsylvania when he saw his buddy buying ice at a gas
The rekindled friendship led Simmons to become a minority shareholder in Four Seasons Brewing Co. in Latrobe. He left that microbrewery to pursue bigger dreams.
PA Libations, located at 2103 Penn Ave., started as CGS Brokers in 2015. At that time, Simmons was stumping for only one Keystone State distillery, CJ Spirits in Kane, Pa.
Now he sells for 17 distilleries, 20 wineries and three breweries and has a small, but loyal army of employees who share his passion for locally made libations.
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