I’m heading to Pittsburgh next weekend with the family. What breweries and bottle shops should I visit, or what pubs are recommended? I lean towards American and English beers (cask especially). Not fond of Belgians.
Thanks in advance.
Some friends of mine are making some really good beers in the area. Matt just opened this tasting bar a few weeks ago with his actual brewery up in Meadville: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Voodoo-H … 8892067871, http://www.voodoobrewery.com/. The other location is a brewery with a no-frills tasting room: http://www.fullpintbrewing.com/. I actually helped them move their equipment into the facility back in 2010. My favorite weekly visit is to North Country Brewing which is a lot closer to me than those two: http://www.northcountrybrewing.com/. These folks started off with the brewpub and then set up the production brewery down the street from the pub a few years later. They also recently purchased the Harmony Inn and turned it into more of a craft beer pub. These are just my picks, sure you’ll hear from others.
Thanks! I’ll look in to those.
The Church Brewery is pretty cool.
http://www.churchbrew.com/Depending on the weather, there’s a little patio area that they set up picnic tables and such. Beer selection is usually pretty good too. Big restaurant, numerous offerings.
Fat Head’s
http://www.fatheadspittsburgh.com/
is always worth a visit if you’re going to be near the South Side. Excellent food and beer selection with 42 rotating taps. I also second the Church Brew Works recommendation.
Here’s my short list of a local brewery trip I’m planning with some buds this summer in no particular order:
Rock bottom: Homestead
East End: Pittsburgh
Full Pint: North Versailles
Spoonwood: Bethel Park (this place just opened up 2 months ago and I’ve heard very good things but not tried any of their beers yet)
:cheers:
Rad
I will be having lunch at Fat Head’s today, woop!!! Church BW has good beer but their prices are a bit steep IMO. Voodoo makes pretty good beers but I have never been to a pub before where the bartender seemed so disinterested in talking about beer and there were only three other people present so it wasn’t like they were busy. Perhaps their Pitt location will be friendlier. Spoonwood is excellent.
[quote=“Radagast”]Fat Head’s
http://www.fatheadspittsburgh.com/
is always worth a visit if you’re going to be near the South Side. Excellent food and beer selection with 42 rotating taps. I also second the Church Brew Works recommendation.
Here’s my short list of a local brewery trip I’m planning with some buds this summer in no particular order:
Rock bottom: Homestead
East End: Pittsburgh
Full Pint: North Versailles
Spoonwood: Bethel Park (this place just opened up 2 months ago and I’ve heard very good things but not tried any of their beers yet)
:cheers:
Rad[/quote]
Oh, man! I didn’t realize Fathead’s had a Pittsburgh location. We get some of their stuff in Cincy and it’s almost always great. I’m going there. Thanks for the info.
I’ve visited Pittsburgh 1-2 times per year last 5+ yrs for games (go figure). Nothing much that has not already been said, other than the Fatheads is my #1 beer priority there.
Also, I would swear that the East End made an overhaul of their IPA recently. I thought it was pretty mediocre before, but last fall got it on tap at a restaurant and it was really good. More toward the “west coast” end of the hop profile.
Church is ok, more for the food and the beer is decent.
There’s also Penn Brewery, it has more of a German inlfuence in beer and also food.
THere’s a hofbrauhaus there now apparently. Haven’t been yet.
I love visiting Pittsburgh. Especially as you first pass through the tunnel and get initial glimpse of the rivers, bridges and the downtown. If you get the chance to go up to Mt Washington, great scenic view of city. Take the incline there from Station Square, and eat at the Grandview Saloon looking over the city. Also like walking the markets and stores of the Strip District, where you gotta get a Primani’s sandwich (just to say you did).
[quote=“Steeler D”]I’ve visited Pittsburgh 1-2 times per year last 5+ yrs for games (go figure). Nothing much that has not already been said, other than the Fatheads is my #1 beer priority there.
Also, I would swear that the East End made an overhaul of their IPA recently. I thought it was pretty mediocre before, but last fall got it on tap at a restaurant and it was really good. More toward the “west coast” end of the hop profile.
Church is ok, more for the food and the beer is decent.
There’s also Penn Brewery, it has more of a German inlfuence in beer and also food.
THere’s a hofbrauhaus there now apparently. Haven’t been yet.
I love visiting Pittsburgh. Especially as you first pass through the tunnel and get initial glimpse of the rivers, bridges and the downtown. If you get the chance to go up to Mt Washington, great scenic view of city. Take the incline there from Station Square, and eat at the Grandview Saloon looking over the city. Also like walking the markets and stores of the Strip District, where you gotta get a Primani’s sandwich (just to say you did).[/quote]
Thanks for the great info. I was researching and saw that they’ve still got a functioning incline. Thought my kids would get a kick out of that. Really appreciate the insight.
Bier Brauer is from the Pittsburgh area, he’d know some good places, for sure. Not sure he comes on here much anymore though…
