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Below are some of the best small breweries in and around Pittsburgh.
North Pittsburgh
Allegheny City Brewing
Allegheny City Brewing is a home-brewing enterprise that has expanded to become a small craft brewery. Located on the North Side, the brewery has up to 11 of its craft brews and a guest cider on tap. While they don’t have a kitchen, they have local food trucks visit almost every day they’re open.
Aurochs Brewing Company
Love beer, but can’t tolerate gluten? Then Aurochs will have you crying in your beer for joy. Founded by two friends who both have to avoid gluten due to medical reasons, their beers are a welcome treat to anyone who can’t have gluten. The brewery is located in Emsworth and brews naturally gluten-free beers.
Full Pint Brewing Company
Full Pint Brewing was one of the first craft breweries in Pittsburgh. They craft their beer in Warrendale and have a wide variety on tap. Their food menu also features unique items, as it focuses on wild game sausages. If you’re looking for a pub that’s meant to be fun for all ages, they claim to offer fun inside and outdoors.
Grist House Craft Brewery
Like many brewers, Grist House began as two friends and brothers-in-law crafting beer in their home and then expanding the operation. Grist House features numerous IPAs as well as a variety of others. They also have a food truck schedule, and welcome patrons to bring their families and dogs when they visit.
Penn Brewery
Opened in 1986, Penn Brewery on the city’s North Side, claims to be Pittsburgh’s oldest craft brewery. Which, we don’t doubt. Their beers have won numerous awards. Their brewery is so popular, they highly recommend you make reservations.
Roundabout Brewery
The Roundabout Brewery’s brewmasters hail from Detroit and Christchurch, New Zealand, but fell in love with Pittsburgh and decided to bring their craft beers expertise to Pittsburgh. Their main location closed, and they have a pop-up beer garden along the Ohio River.
Strange Roots Experimental Ales
Reopened in 2018 as Strange Roots Experimental Ales , this brewery offers a variety of new craft beers. They have three locations throughout the city, with each one offering its own menu. You can find them in Millvale, Gibsonia, and New Kensington. They also have indoor and outdoor seating, and are dog-friendly.
East Pittsburgh and Downtown
11th Hour Brewing Company
Located in Lawrenceville, 11th Hour Brewing Company features an assortment of brews from Belgian Blonde to Blackberry Raspberry Mead. They also have a food truck schedule on their site, so you can plan your pints and bites.
Brew Gentlemen Beer Company
Located in Braddock, Brew Gentlemen is the brainchild of two Carnegie Mellon grads. The brewery opened in 2014 and has two flagship brews: General Braddock’s IPA and Carnegie Premium as well as a variety of seasonal and occasional brews.
Church Brew Works
Once a Catholic church, Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville is one of the area’s first microbreweries. Many of its brews can also be found at local distributors.
Cinderlands Beer Company
At Cinderlands Beer Company in the Strip, the beer is handcrafted, and the food is made from scratch. They also have a taproom in Wexford for those in the North looking to grab a pint.
East End Brewing Company
East End Brewing, located in East Liberty, brews about 35 different beers annually and supplies many restaurants throughout the region with its brews. But it’s not just beer you’ll find when you visit the tap room. They also have a pizza kitchen and serve an assortment of locally crafted Barmy Soda pop.
Hop Farm Brewing Company
Hop Farm Brewing, in Lawrenceville, grows its own hops, and since 2014 has been using them to craft their signature IPA and other varieties of beer. Their kitchen features a unique menu, including an Oktoberfest themed menu, and they also have a kids menu available.
South/Southwest Pittsburgh
Abjuration Brew Company
Abjuration Brew Company was started by two friends who loved beer. The brewery and taproom is located in McKees Rocks. They like to experiment with their brews, but say they lean toward hoppy. You can also find their beers at The Parkway Theater/Film Lounge.
Cobblehaus Brewing Company
Located in Coraopolis, Cobblehouse Brewing Company specializes in European and Belgian style beers. The decor matches their style, evoking feelings of the “olde world.” They have also opened a tap room in Mercer, PA.
Hitchhiker Brewing Company
Hitchhiker started brewing in 2014 in Mt. Lebanon and expanded in 2017 to a production brewery in Sharpsburg. Both locations serve the brewery’s six core beers as well as a rotation of seasonal brews. Similar to other local breweries, Hitchhiker also has a food truck schedule on their website.
Mindful Brewing
The flagship location of Mindful Brewing, in Castle Shannon, opened in 2017. They have another tap room in Bloomfield. In addition to its own brews, it has 15 house beers and 14 guest brews on tap. It also has wine on tap for the wine lovers, as well as draft cocktails. Their kitchen serves a variety of crafted foods for its patrons.
Spoonwood Brewing Company
Spoonwood Brewing in Bethel Park is a brewhouse with 22 craft beers, ciders, and wines on tap. They host events and have a rotating food menu with weekly specials.
By Janice Lane Palko
Originally published March 2018
