Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, with over 40 local breweries now calling the Steel City home. From classic German-style lagers to innovative IPAs, the city offers an impressive variety of locally brewed options for beer enthusiasts to explore. Visitors and residents alike can embark on a flavorful journey through Pittsburgh’s vibrant neighborhoods, sampling unique brews at taprooms and brewpubs scattered across the city.
The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild provides an excellent resource for navigating the local craft beer landscape. Beer lovers can use their guide to plan visits to popular spots like East End Brewing Company, Voodoo Brewery, and Penn Brewery – one of the pioneers of the American craft beer movement. Many breweries offer tours, allowing guests to learn about the brewing process while tasting fresh, locally-made beers.
From downtown taprooms to suburban brew houses, Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene caters to all tastes and preferences. Whether seeking a crisp wheat beer on a summer day or a rich, chocolatey stout in winter, beer enthusiasts are sure to find their perfect pint in the ‘Burgh.
History of Pittsburgh Brewing
Pittsburgh’s brewing heritage dates back over 160 years, with the city playing a significant role in America’s beer industry. The Pittsburgh Brewing Company, founded in 1861, stands as a cornerstone of this rich history.
Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, numerous breweries flourished in Pittsburgh. The city’s access to clean water, abundant grain, and transportation networks made it an ideal location for beer production.
Prohibition hit Pittsburgh’s brewing industry hard, forcing many establishments to close. However, some breweries, including Pittsburgh Brewing Company, survived by producing non-alcoholic beverages and other products.
After Prohibition’s repeal, Pittsburgh’s beer scene rebounded. Pittsburgh Brewing Company, known for its Iron City Beer, became a local icon and expanded its reach nationally.
The late 20th century brought challenges to traditional breweries. Changing consumer tastes and competition from national brands led to declining sales. Pittsburgh Brewing Company filed for bankruptcy in 2005.
In recent years, Pittsburgh has experienced a craft beer renaissance. New microbreweries and brewpubs have opened, reinvigorating the city’s brewing tradition with innovative flavors and styles.
Today, Pittsburgh boasts a diverse beer scene. Historic brands like Iron City coexist with modern craft breweries, offering a blend of tradition and innovation to beer enthusiasts.
Exploring Pittsburgh’s Craft Breweries
Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene is vibrant and diverse, with numerous breweries offering unique flavors and experiences. From award-winning IPAs to experimental brews, the city’s breweries showcase creativity and passion for craft beer.
Grist House Craft Brewery
Grist House Craft Brewery has gained a reputation for its innovative and flavorful beers. Located in Millvale, this brewery offers a spacious taproom and outdoor beer garden. Their 8th Anniversary Reserve Stout won a gold medal at the 2022 Great American Beer Festival.
Grist House is known for its rotating selection of IPAs, stouts, and sours. Visitors can enjoy fresh brews while soaking in the laid-back atmosphere. The brewery often hosts food trucks and events, making it a popular spot for beer enthusiasts.
Dancing Gnome Brewery
Dancing Gnome Brewery specializes in hop-forward beers, particularly New England-style IPAs. Situated in Sharpsburg, this brewery has quickly become a favorite among local craft beer lovers.
Their taproom offers a modern, minimalist aesthetic. Dancing Gnome releases new beers regularly, encouraging patrons to try their latest creations. The brewery’s commitment to quality and innovation has earned them a loyal following in Pittsburgh’s craft beer community.
East End Brewing Company
East End Brewing Company, founded in 2004, is one of Pittsburgh’s oldest craft breweries. Located in Larimer, this brewery has played a significant role in shaping the city’s beer culture.
East End is known for its diverse range of beers, including their popular Big Hop IPA and seasonal offerings like Gratitude Barleywine. The brewery’s taproom, called “The Taproom at East End,” offers a cozy space to enjoy fresh brews and local snacks.
Brew Gentlemen
Brew Gentlemen, located in Braddock, has gained national recognition for their exceptional beers. Founded by two Carnegie Mellon graduates, this brewery focuses on quality and consistency.
Their flagship beer, General Braddock’s IPA, is a hazy, juicy New England-style IPA that has become a local favorite. Brew Gentlemen’s taproom provides a welcoming environment for visitors to sample their latest creations and enjoy food from rotating pop-up kitchens.
Hitchhiker Brewing Co
Hitchhiker Brewing Co has two locations in Pittsburgh – one in Mt. Lebanon and another in Sharpsburg. Known for their experimental approach, Hitchhiker offers a wide range of beer styles.
Their Sharpsburg location features a spacious taproom and beer garden. Hitchhiker’s diverse beer menu includes everything from traditional ales to barrel-aged sours and imperial stouts. The brewery’s commitment to pushing boundaries has made them a standout in Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene.
Church Brew Works
Church Brew Works offers a unique brewing experience in a restored Roman Catholic church. Located in Lawrenceville, this brewery combines historical architecture with modern craft beer production.
Their beer selection includes traditional styles and innovative brews. The stunning interior, complete with original stained glass windows and repurposed pews, creates a memorable atmosphere for visitors. Church Brew Works also serves a full food menu, making it a popular destination for both beer and food enthusiasts.
Voodoo Brewery
Voodoo Brewery’s Pittsburgh location in Homestead brings their popular beers from Meadville to the city. Known for their bold flavors and creative names, Voodoo has gained a strong following among craft beer fans.
Their taproom offers a funky, eclectic atmosphere that matches their beer styles. Voodoo’s lineup includes year-round favorites like Hoodoo IPA and seasonal specialties such as their barrel-aged imperial stouts. The brewery’s unique approach to beer-making has helped them stand out in Pittsburgh’s competitive craft beer market.
Cobblehaus Brewing
Cobblehaus Brewing in Coraopolis focuses on European-inspired beers with an American twist. This small, family-owned brewery offers a cozy taproom experience for visitors.
Their beer selection includes Belgian-style ales, German lagers, and creative seasonal brews. Cobblehaus prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and traditional brewing methods. The brewery’s commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail has earned them a dedicated local following.
The Local Beer Spectrum
Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene offers a diverse array of styles to satisfy every palate. From hop-forward IPAs to crisp lagers and complex sours, local breweries showcase their expertise across the beer spectrum.
American IPA and Hazy IPAs
Pittsburgh breweries excel at crafting bold and flavorful IPAs. American IPAs feature pronounced hop bitterness and aromatic profiles, often highlighting citrus and pine notes. Local favorites push the boundaries with innovative hop combinations and brewing techniques.
Hazy IPAs, also known as New England IPAs, have gained popularity for their juicy flavors and smooth mouthfeel. These beers showcase tropical fruit flavors and reduced bitterness compared to traditional IPAs. Many Pittsburgh breweries now offer their take on this trendy style.
Several taprooms feature rotating IPA selections, allowing beer enthusiasts to explore different hop varieties and brewing approaches. Some breweries even host IPA-focused events or release limited edition variants to showcase their creativity within the style.
Lagers and Pilsners
Pittsburgh’s brewing heritage shines through its crisp and clean lagers. These beers undergo a longer fermentation process at cooler temperatures, resulting in smooth and balanced flavors.
Pilsners, a subset of lagers, are particularly popular among local brewers. These light-bodied beers offer a delicate balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. Pittsburgh’s pilsners often feature noble hop varieties for a classic European-inspired flavor profile.
Many breweries pay homage to the city’s German roots by producing traditional lager styles. These include Munich Helles, Vienna Lager, and Oktoberfest beers. Some taprooms offer lager flights, allowing patrons to compare different subtleties within the style.
Sours and Wild Ales
Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene embraces the funky and tart world of sours and wild ales. These complex beers utilize wild yeast strains or bacteria to create unique flavor profiles.
Kettle sours offer a quick-turnaround option for breweries, allowing for fruited variations and seasonal releases. More traditional methods involve barrel-aging and mixed fermentation, producing layered flavors that develop over time.
Local brewers experiment with a range of ingredients, from local fruits to herbs and spices. Some taprooms dedicate special areas to their sour beer production to prevent cross-contamination with other brews.
Stouts and Porters
Dark beer enthusiasts find plenty to enjoy in Pittsburgh’s stout and porter offerings. These styles showcase roasted malt flavors, often with notes of coffee, chocolate, and caramel.
Oatmeal stouts and milk stouts are popular variants, offering smooth textures and subtle sweetness. Some breweries push the envelope with high-alcohol imperial stouts or barrel-aged versions that develop complex flavors over time.
Porters provide a lighter alternative to stouts while still delivering rich malt character. Pittsburgh brewers often put their spin on traditional recipes, incorporating local ingredients or unique flavor combinations.
Many taprooms feature seasonal stout releases, particularly during colder months. Special events and vertical tastings allow beer lovers to explore how these robust styles evolve over time.
Brewery Experiences and Taprooms
Pittsburgh’s craft breweries offer diverse taproom environments, outdoor spaces, and culinary pairings. Many provide educational tours and tasting experiences for beer enthusiasts.
Beer Gardens and Open Spaces
Penn Brewery boasts a historic beer garden in its 170-year-old building on the North Side. Visitors can enjoy classic lagers and German-style beers in this atmospheric outdoor setting.
East End Brewing Company features a spacious taproom in the East End, with ample outdoor seating for warm weather enjoyment. Their rotating tap list showcases a variety of styles, from IPAs to seasonal brews.
Sly Fox Brewing’s downtown taproom offers a more urban experience near Point State Park. While space is limited, it provides a welcome respite for city explorers seeking craft beer.
Food Trucks and Pairings
Many Pittsburgh breweries partner with local food trucks to enhance the taproom experience. Visitors can often find a rotating selection of cuisines to pair with their beers.
Some breweries, like Penn Brewery, have on-site kitchens serving German-inspired fare to complement their traditional beer styles. Others collaborate with nearby restaurants for food delivery options.
Beer and food pairing events are common, allowing guests to explore flavor combinations guided by knowledgeable staff. These experiences highlight the versatility of craft beer in culinary settings.
Brewery Tours and Experiences
Several Pittsburgh breweries offer guided tours of their facilities. Penn Brewery, with its long history, provides insights into traditional brewing methods and the city’s beer heritage.
East End Brewing Company hosts educational tours that cover the brewing process from grain to glass. Visitors can learn about ingredient selection, fermentation, and packaging techniques.
Tasting flights are a popular option at most taprooms, allowing guests to sample a variety of beer styles. Some breweries offer guided tastings led by brewers or certified beer experts, providing in-depth knowledge of flavor profiles and brewing techniques.
Signature Events and Festivals
Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene shines through its vibrant festivals and events. The Beers of the Burgh Festival stands out as a premier celebration of local brews. Held annually in June at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, this event showcases over 50 regional breweries.
Three Rivers Beer Week is another highlight on the Pittsburgh beer calendar. This multi-day event features special releases, tap takeovers, and beer-pairing dinners across the city.
The Pittsburgh Beerfest attracts beer enthusiasts from far and wide. With over 400 beers from more than 125 breweries, it’s one of the largest beer festivals in the area.
For those seeking a more intimate experience, the Pittsburgh Brew Tours offer guided visits to local craft breweries. These tours provide behind-the-scenes access and ample tasting opportunities.
The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild plays a key role in organizing and promoting these events. They work to foster collaboration among local breweries and enhance the city’s beer culture.
Many of these festivals also feature food pairings, live music, and educational components. They offer a perfect opportunity to explore Pittsburgh’s diverse craft beer landscape and connect with fellow beer lovers.
Innovation in Pittsburgh’s Craft Beer
Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene thrives on experimentation and pushing boundaries. Brewers employ cutting-edge techniques and uncommon ingredients to create distinctive flavors that captivate beer enthusiasts.
Velum Fermentation and Necromancer Brewing
Necromancer Brewing pioneered velum fermentation in Pittsburgh. This technique uses a thin film of yeast on the beer’s surface, imparting unique flavors. Their “Veil” series showcases this method, producing complex, slightly tart beers.
Necromancer also experiments with hop-forward beers, utilizing new hop varieties and dry-hopping techniques. Their “Hop Wizard” IPA rotates hop combinations seasonally, offering fresh flavor profiles throughout the year.
Strange Roots Experimental Ales
Strange Roots lives up to its name with unconventional brewing practices. They specialize in spontaneous fermentation, using wild yeasts and bacteria from the local environment.
Their “Wild Cave” series features beers aged in limestone caves, absorbing mineral notes from the surroundings. Strange Roots also incorporates foraged ingredients like dandelions and spruce tips in their seasonal offerings.
The brewery’s barrel-aging program produces complex sour ales and funky saisons, often blending different batches for depth of flavor.
Lincoln Avenue Brewery and Spontaneous Fermentation
Lincoln Avenue Brewery embraces traditional Belgian lambic methods, adapting them to Pittsburgh’s climate. They use a coolship—a large, shallow pan—to collect wild microbes for fermentation.
Their spontaneously fermented beers age for months or years in oak barrels, developing intricate flavors. Lincoln Avenue also creates unique blends, combining young and old batches for balanced acidity and complexity.
The brewery’s “Rust Belt Sour” series pays homage to Pittsburgh’s industrial heritage, incorporating local fruits and herbs for distinctly regional flavors.
Craft Beer Culture and Community
Pittsburgh’s craft beer scene thrives on a strong sense of community. Local brewers collaborate regularly, sharing knowledge and resources to elevate the city’s beer offerings.
The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild plays a pivotal role in fostering this camaraderie. It connects breweries, organizes events, and promotes the local craft beer industry.
City Brew Tours Pittsburgh offers guided experiences of the city’s best breweries. These tours provide insight into brewing processes and beer styles while supporting local businesses.
Craft beer enthusiasts in Pittsburgh often gather at taprooms and beer festivals. These events celebrate new releases, seasonal brews, and the creativity of local brewers.
Many Pittsburgh breweries engage in community outreach. They host fundraisers, partner with local charities, and support neighborhood initiatives.
The city’s craft beer culture extends beyond drinking. It encompasses education, with breweries offering classes on beer appreciation and homebrewing techniques.
Pittsburgh’s craft beer community values sustainability. Several breweries implement eco-friendly practices, from recycling spent grain to using renewable energy sources.
Local restaurants and bars actively promote Pittsburgh-made craft beers. This support strengthens the bonds between brewers, businesses, and beer lovers across the city.
Navigating the Scene
Pittsburgh’s craft beer landscape offers diverse experiences for enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. The city’s brewing heritage combines with modern innovation to create a vibrant beer culture.
Custom Trails and Tours
Several companies offer guided brewery tours in Pittsburgh. These tours provide transportation between multiple breweries, allowing visitors to sample a variety of local beers safely. Some popular stops include Penn Brewery, East End Brewing, and Sly Fox Brewing.
Self-guided beer trails are another option for exploring Pittsburgh’s craft scene. The Pittsburgh Brewery Guide lists over 75 breweries in and around the city. Beer enthusiasts can create custom itineraries based on location, beer styles, or brewery size.
Many breweries offer behind-the-scenes tours of their facilities. These tours often include tastings and provide insight into the brewing process and local beer history.
Finding the Perfect Pint
Pittsburgh’s craft beer bars showcase an extensive selection of local and regional brews. Carson Street Deli on the South Side is known for its carefully curated beer list. Downtown, Sly Fox Brewing’s taproom offers a convenient spot to try their beers near Point State Park.
Beer festivals occur throughout the year in Pittsburgh. These events feature tastings from multiple breweries and often include food pairings and live entertainment.
Many Pittsburgh restaurants prioritize local craft beer selections. Pairing regional brews with local cuisine enhances the dining experience and supports the city’s beer culture.
