FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Boyd & Blair Announces Partnership with Happy Valley United for Happy Valley Vodka

Portion of sales from each bottle will benefit student athletes’ NIL

Pittsburgh, Pa. (November 3, 2023) Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries announced today that its multiple award-winning spirit, Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka has partnered with Happy Valley United (HVU), the Name, Image and Likeness collective supporting all 31 teams and 800-plus Penn State student-athletes, to release Happy Valley Vodka 

 

A percentage from each bottle purchased will benefit Penn State student-athletes through Happy Valley United, giving over 800 Penn State student-athletes more NIL support with every purchase. 

 

“Our award-winning vodka is the perfect complement to the Happy Valley scene, and is what we hope will become a game day good luck charm for all of Nittany Nation,” said Barry Young, cofounder and Master Distiller of Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to partner with HVU to gain more NIL support for student athletes, and to become a part of the loyal and historic game day rituals for fans and alumni. We hope Happy Valley Vodka will become a tradition at tailgates, a favorite gift to give or get for Nittany Lion alumni, and the go-to spirit while watching a game at the bar or with friends who bleed blue and white across the country.” 

 

Happy Valley vodka bottles will feature a classic blue and white design and will be designated as the “Official Vodka of Happy Valley United.” 

 

“We are pleased to partner with Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries to offer Happy Valley its first official game day spirit,” said Jen Ferrang, Happy Valley United general manager of development and corporate partnerships. “It’s another perfect way to support NIL opportunities at Penn State for all student-athletes while enjoying drinks on game day or at any gathering.” 

 

Happy Valley Vodka uses the same award-winning recipe as its flagship product, Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka. Handcrafted in Glenshaw, PA, the vodka is distilled from local PA potatoes from which Young unlocks natural sweetness by fermenting with champagne yeast. Adhering to a 100% hand-crafted method results in an absolutely masterful spirit that redefines the label “vodka” by rewarding the senses with a smooth, creamy, semi-sweet flavor and no harsh “bite.” 

 

“Our recipe provides a vodka that could be sipped on the rocks or even neat, and has enough flavor for a whiskey drinker like myself to enjoy,” said Young. “As one of the first hand-distilled potato vodkas in the country, we’re proud to count ourselves among the country’s first and few authentic artisan distillers.” 

 

Happy Valley Vodka is currently available for pre-order in PA only at this time from boydandblair.com, with a release date of November 9. It will also be available at various pop-up events in State College, and will eventually ship outside of PA. The vodka can also be found at various retail locations and restaurants in the State College area. 

 

 

About Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries 

Pennsylvania Pure Distilleries is an independently run American distillery founded on the idea of creating exceptional spirits using locally grown ingredients and packaging.  We believe in quality over quantity and that’s why we make every single batch by hand.  Our award-winning spirit portfolio is distributed nationally by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Our 5-star rated Boyd & Blair Silver Rum and ready-to-serve craft cocktail line continue to exemplify our high standards and dedication to distilling pristine clear spirits. To learn more, please visit www.boydandblair.com. 

 

About Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka 

Boyd & Blair Potato Vodka is distilled in Pittsburgh, PA, using locally sourced ingredients and a single 1,200-liter copper still in its production. At the Ultimate Spirit Challenge 2023, it won # 1 Vodka among all vodkas for the 3rd year. “To convincingly prevailing against the world’s finest vodkas is nothing short of historic.” F. Paul Pacult. It is distributed nationally by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits.   

 

About Happy Valley United 

Happy Valley United (HVU) is the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collective supporting all 31 teams and 800-plus student-athletes at Penn State.  Supporters, fans and alumni who commit their support to HVU are pledging to maximize opportunities for student-athletes to build their brands and engage with the community.  There are various ways to get involved, including corporate partnerships, memberships and charitable contributions. HVU is powered by parent company Blueprint Sports. For more information about NIL partnerships with Penn State student-athletes, visit https://happyvalleyunited.com/. 

 

Media Contact: 

Darice Nagy, Green Dot Communications 

darice@greendotpr.com; 814-771-0923 

 

Alexis Yoder, Happy Valley United 

alexis@happyvalleyunited.com 

Nate Brown

General Manager

Nate Brown is the General Manager of Zags Collective, leading the charge to help amplify the opportunities for the Gonzaga student-athletes through NIL partnerships with local charities, fans and businesses. With over a decade of experience in the professional sports industry and as a former business owner in Spokane, Nate is a seasoned professional who knows what it takes to succeed. Most recently, he served as the National Sales Director for a prominent west-coast real estate company, where he was responsible for driving growth and retention. With a deep understanding of sales and marketing, Nate brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and is always seeking innovative ways to drive revenue and create partnerships.With a passion for ensuring the success of student-athletes both on and off the field, Nate is dedicated to providing the necessary resources to keep Gonzaga competitive on the national stage. He understands the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with the community and local businesses, and works to maximize opportunities for Gonzaga’s student-athletes. As the son of two Gonzaga alumni, including a father who was a baseball pitcher and also a coach for the school, Nate has a great connection to the university and a passion for ensuring its continued success. Outside of work, Nate enjoys spending time with family, including his wife Jessica and their 16-year-old daughter Brooklynn and 12-year-old son Marcus. When not working or spending time with family, you can find Nate at any one of the amazing golf courses in Spokane, honing his swing!

Mike Smith

General Manager

Mike Smith joined Micconope 1851 in March 2023 and is excited to be the General Manager and looks forward to working with Blueprint Sports increase NIL revenue generation for Florida State University student-athletes. Smith comes to Micconope 1851 from Catawba College where he held the title as the Senior Director of Athletics, Development. Prior to working in Athletics at Catawba College, Mike served as the Associate Athletics Director for External Relations at Charleston Southern University. Smith has an impressive background in the collegiate athletics industry, having held senior level development and corporate sponsorship sales roles at The University of Southern Mississippi, Limestone University, the Sun Belt Conference, Florida Atlantic University, and with multimedia rights-holders Tele South Communications at the University of Mississippi, Learfield Sports at UNC Chapel Hill, and with International Sports Properties at Georgia Tech. Smith is a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and holds a master’s degree in Business Management from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In his new role here at Micconppe 1851, Smith will be responsible for raising major gifts for NIL deals as well as securing NIL corporate sponsorships for Florida State University student-athletes. Mike looks forward to helping ensure the FSU student-athletes have the resources and leadership opportunities to remain competitive nationally and positioned for success well beyond graduation. Mike is married to Katy Smith; the couple looks forward to relocating to Tallahassee, Florida, and becoming a part of the Micconope 1851 and Seminole family!

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