Regional Brews - Pittsburgh, PA

I am headed to Pittsburgh for the Cubs and Pirates series next week and was wondering if there is any regional brews that I should be looking out for? I have done some searching and outside of Iron City I haven't found anything on the net.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Although not in Pittsburgh, the Weyerbacher Brewery in Easton, PA turns out some very special brews that are available throughout the state.

Yuengling

East End Brewing Company

The single-serving size:


Thanks, sazarac!

In addition to East End and Weyerbacher, which are mentioned above, I also enjoy Victory, Stoudt's, and Troegs. Okay, so not all in Pittsburgh, but all are from Pennsylvania, should be available locally, and all are quite good. I hosted an event in Pgh and tried to find exceptional local beer - - it's not easy.

We have one of those East End growlers sitting on a shelf in our kitchen. Too bad it's empty. The Murray Avenue Grill in Squirrel Hill often has East End on tap.

The Church has only decent beer and food, but may be worth a visit for the atmosphere. It's someplace you go to and enjoy once: www.churchbrew.com.

RAB just posted a bit about Pgh food at the top of the Beyond Chicagoland thread. He mentions Fathead's - - while it has beer from all over the world, is a great spot for beer lovers. It also features amazing pub grub.

Safe travels and feel free to PM RAB or me for more tips.

REB wrote: I hosted an event in Pgh and tried to find exceptional local beer - - it's not easy.

We have one of those East End growlers sitting on a shelf in our kitchen. Too bad it's empty. The Murray Avenue Grill in Squirrel Hill often has East End on tap.

This may be too late for the OP's trip.
I've been very happy with East End brews - though I too have an empty growler. If you do go to East End to fill a growler ($10 fill + $3 for the growler if you need one) - samples are free... (and some may be 'special' or limited runs)
Among the memorable beers I've had was a East End smoked Porter last year.




I'm no beer connoisseur - but I've sampled more and better brews in Pittsburgh. I think accessibility to good brews here is great (helps too now that I have friends that keep me stocked with good home brews )

In addition to the excellent suggestions above -
For a large selection of beers on tap (or in the walk in cooler or beer 'cave') - D's is great!

click for larger view
Jan08 tap list


March08 tap list


other pics and menu of D's here

D's 6-pax n dogs
1118 S Braddock Ave
Swissvale, PA 15218
(412) 241-4666

I agree about the church brew works - it's good for the novelty but not much more (and the food prices don't help). Still you have to appreciate a place that has the humor to have the altar turned into the area for large brew kettles and the confessional into the (hard liquor) bar...

JasonM wrote:Yuengling

+1

Also, don't forget to try to find some pork roll

Jamieson22 wrote:

JasonM wrote:Yuengling

+1

Also, don't forget to try to find some pork roll

Neither Yuengling nor pork roll are from or related to Pittsburgh. They are from waaaaaaaay on the other side of the state, or in the case of pork roll, Trenton.

(Neither are any good either, but we don't have to go there.)

+1

great bar food and many, many beers at this place....i was impressed.
http://www.sharpedgebeer.com/

mousec1 wrote:I am headed to Pittsburgh for the Cubs and Pirates series next week and was wondering if there is any regional brews that I should be looking out for? I have done some searching and outside of Iron City I haven't found anything on the net.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Neither Yuengling nor pork roll are from or related to Pittsburgh. They are from waaaaaaaay on the other side of the state, or in the case of pork roll, Trenton.

(Neither are any good either, but we don't have to go there.)

The original post inquired about regional brews, which Yuengling certainly is. So what if it didn't originate in Pittsburgh, it comes from the oldest brewery in America, and is only available on the East Coast. (see, that's what makes it REGIONAL). As far as not being any good, that is very subjective. It may not hold up to a Panama Red or a Kilt Kicker Wee Heavy from Flossmoor, but compared to Miller it rocks.

JasonM wrote:
The original post inquired about regional brews, which Yuengling certainly is. So what if it didn't originate in Pittsburgh, it comes from the oldest brewery in America, and is only available on the East Coast. (see, that's what makes it REGIONAL). As far as not being any good, that is very subjective. It may not hold up to a Panama Red or a Kilt Kicker Wee Heavy from Flossmoor, but compared to Miller it rocks.

Fair point, as OP the did, in fact, inquire about REGIONAL brews. Semantics aside, however, I just don't see recommending Yuengling to someone looking for tasty, regional beer in Pittsburgh, despite that it is produced in the same state. Might as well recommend Rolling Rock, which is produced in much-closer Latrobe, PA. Now that is a regional beer by anyone's definition, even though it is swill (objectively).

Posters above have pointed to at least one LOCAL brewery (East End) that produces a very high-quality, artisinal product. Another local brewery perhaps worth a visit is the Penn Brewery. It is located in a great, historic building on Pittsburgh's North Side, and produces a decent line of German-style beers. Also good for a bratwurst and spätzel fix.

RAB wrote:Might as well recommend Rolling Rock, which is produced in much-closer Latrobe, PA. Now that is a regional beer by anyone's definition, even though it is swill (objectively).

It's swill, yes, but it's swill produced by Anheuser-Busch, I believe in its Newark, NJ plant. AB bought it in 2006. The Latrobe plant was bought by City Brewing (of LaCrosse Lager fame), and is now contract brewing for Sam Adams.

RAB wrote:Fair point, as OP the did, in fact, inquire about REGIONAL brews. Semantics aside, however, I just don't see recommending Yuengling to someone looking for tasty, regional beer in Pittsburgh, despite that it is produced in the same state.

Odd, because to me, Yuengling is tasty and regional and probably something you have not had unless you drink on the east coast. It is the first thing I buy everytime we go to the Outer Banks.

Jamie