Wines, Spirits, Brews & Boos

Butler County is full of delicious sips and spooky spirits. From haunted dorms and ghostly encounters to locally crafted spirits and full-bodied wines, skeptics and believers are welcome to explore these popular “ghost towns.”

Even paranormal creatures need to rest their eyes. Make this a weekend adventure and secure your lodging today!

Pictured Evans City Cemetery

Credit @cemeteriesofpittsburgh

Boos & Brews: The Haunting History of Slippery Rock

Slippery Rock is best known for its odd name and university.
The quaint college town is full of so much charm and personality, even the ghosts want to stay.

Slippery Rock University

School spirit isn’t the only thing floating around the grounds of Slippery Rock University. It’s rumored that Emma Guffey Miller, a close friend to Eleanor Roosevelt and Slippery Rock State College trustee, helped shape the construction of the college campus, and loved it so much that she never left.

Emma is said to haunt North Hall, which was once an all-female dormitory, occasionally walking around and causing mild mischief. Students have reported seeing her in mirrors or feeling her presence. Bob Watson, an important member of SRU’s community, told the school’s newspaper that he is “absolutely certain that Emma Guffey Miller’s spirit resides in North Hall.”

Pictured Slippery Rock University

North Country Brew Pub

A short stroll from North Hall, a former funeral home has a few ghost stories of its own. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, you are sure to have a memorable experience at North Country Brew Pub.

In addition to delicious home brews and food that does not disappoint, the Pub is also home to old souls who roam at night: employees speak of the “Woman in White” while paranormal investigators have revealed the presence of a man named Roy.

Pictured North Country Brew Pub

Credit @_punkrockmike_

Need more spirits?

An old frat house on Kiester Road is said to have one or two, but if you keep following Kiester Road down the hill, you can find a variety of spirits at DR Distillery. Using preserved distillery techniques for generations, this fan-favorite provides you with selections of handcrafted whiskey and rum!

Pictured DR Distillery

Wine, Spirits & Cemeteries: Full-Bodied Chills

Evans City, PA

Evans City Cemetery

While spirits aren’t known to bother tourists at Evans City Cemetery, you still need to keep an eye out for the un-living. You might not feel spirits around you, but listen closely for the groans of zombies. “Night of the Living Dead,” a 1968 blockbuster that revolutionized the horror film industry, was filmed here! Snap a few photos to start your self-guided tour, but remember to respect the dead along the way.

Pictured Evans City Cemetery

Credit Phil Stewart

Cabot, PA

The Wooden Cross Cemetery

For your next destination, travel to the county’s countryside to visit The Wooden Cross Cemetery near Cabot. A roadside marker on the corner of Sasse and Cornetti Road tells the history of the original “Wooden Cross.”

Just over a century ago, the Spanish flu pandemic claimed 50 million deaths worldwide. The Wooden Cross towered high over a mass grave dedicated to an unknown number of European men; immigrants who worked as laborers and fell victim to the pandemic in 1918 and 1919.

The original cross deteriorated and was replaced with a small concrete cross by locals in the early 2000s. With the small concrete cross now missing, only a concrete pedestal and a roadside sign mark the grave of these nameless men.

If you’re looking to continue your trip, just minutes away from the cemetery is Winfield Winery. A local-favorite where you can sample award-winning wines that will surely give you full-bodied chills.

Pictured The Wooden Cross Cemetery

Credit Sue Cabrey-Counts

Butler, PA

South Side Cemetery

The Butler Eagle hosted Angel Deyarmin, a paranormal investigator and self-proclaimed skeptic, to visit the South Side Cemetery in Butler. During her visit, Angel had a haunting conversation. Are there spirits who lurk near their graves? Watch the paranormal interaction or go see for yourself!

Pictured Angel Deyarmin

Credit The Butler Eagle

More To Do

Since you’re already in Butler, stop by Anna Marie's Winery & Cafe or Tannin and Tonic Wine Bar. Bring your fellow ghost-busters and indulge in handcrafted wines and lively atmospheres.

You can find even more spirits at Johnny’s Distillery in Butler! Indulge in small bites, fun themes, and breathtaking mixed drinks. While this popular spot on Main Street isn’t home to ghosts, something special lurks downstairs. Grab a drink and speak with the bartender about how it can be easily accessed!

Pictured Johnny’s Distillery

Historic (and Haunted?) Harmony, PA

The town of Harmony is a National Historic District, just minutes from Zelienople. This small section of the county is packed with an extensive history, including George Washington’s close call with death in his early 20s.

The Harmony Inn

Nestled in the quaint and charming town is The Harmony Inn, a popular restaurant serving locally crafted brews and dishes to die for. The Inn was formally an Italianate-style home when it belonged to a prominent banker and railroad executive in the 1850s.

Paranormal investigators claim to have proof of unearthly activity, and employees have reported strange sights and sounds that couldn’t be explained. In an interview with the Butler Eagle, The Harmony Inn’s owner Bob McCafferty shared chilling stories of his experience at the Inn.

Pictured The Harmony Inn

Neff Haus Ghost Tours

After satisfying your craving for brews, schedule a walking tour with Neff Haus Ghost Tours and learn about all the “boos” in Harmony! Led by local researcher and genealogist Sam Hopkins, this tour shares collections of stories backed by his research, explaining who he believes is haunting the historic town, and most importantly, why they haven’t moved on. Finish your chilling night of local legends with "legendary" ice cream from Neff Haus!

Pictured Haunted Harmony

Plan ahead!

Whether you’re looking for an elevated cocktail, a locally brewed draft, or a spirit from another realm, Butler County is full of great wines, brews, and spirits!

Be sure to drink responsibly and line up a designated driver for any spirited adventures.

Check out more breweries, wineries, and distilleries by signing up for Hops, Grapes & Grains: A Tastemakers’ Tour, or explore all our favorites!

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Pictured Recon Brewing