Recommendations for the Pittsburg area

Church is a cool looking place but I have never really cared for it beyond that. Penn is somewhat better for me.

If you're open to going to a beer bar rather than a brewpub, Sharp Edge Creekhouse, Fathead's, Fuel & Fuddle, Mad Mex, Piper's Pub, Bocktown, D's are all well worth a visit. I'd go to all of them before Church or Penn...

 

Totally agree. Great places, if only the beer was good. Funny that mad mex is a chain, but the beer selection is pretty good.
Try river town pour house. There is one in the east suburbs that brews their own beer, which I find pretty good. There is another in the north side near the ball park (pnc park) that has a really good selection of craft brews.

 

However, to be honest, the only quality brewpub (beer brewed there) in the entire area is North Country up in Slippery Rock. Quality brews, variety of brews and good food. They do not rest on their history, their name or their novelty. If you are going to be north of the city i say it is WELL worth the drive.

Houghs, in Greenfield, just opened Copper Kettle brewing in the side room. They only have one or two of their own beers on tap though. I believe that they have the best combined tap and bottle list in Pittsburgh. No rare beers, but a wide selection and some of the lowest craft prices in the city.

 

Agree on North Country, although I think Rock Bottom in the Waterfront does a solid job with their beers (particularly the seasonals/rotating), and I apparently like the Church Brewworks more than others. Food is quite good (although it seems to be polarizing) and the beer can be excellent at times. I will acknowledge that they don't do all beer styles well, but I've always thought their Belgian-style stuff in particular was good. And for an out of towner, the atmosphere/architecture/experience are well worth it IMO.

 

Yeah, this. Rivertowne makes some really solid micros. Love their Hefeweizen. So much big banana flavor and clove to back it. Liked the other couple styles I've tried there as well, particularly the blonde. Being located down by PNC Park is also pretty clutch.

 

As far as brewpubs, the aforementioned Fathead's (in the South Side) and Rivertowne (multiple locations) are what you're looking for. Penn and Church Brew Works are decent, at best, but you can find bottles of both pretty easily if you're really hankering to give them a try (Penn is no slouch, one of the best craft representations of authentic German brewing in the US). Unfortunately, PGH isn't the place for brewpubs. 'Over the Edge' isn't enough (nor, good enough) to warrant calling any Sharp Edge location a brewpub (only available on-tap at Sharp Edges), but their Belgian draft selection is standout. If it's great drafts you're looking for, then I can add Bocktown, Smokin' Joe's, and Mad Mex to the list of must-go's. And, if you're looking to take a bottle or two (or fifteen) home with you, take the trek north to House of 1,000 Beers in New Kensington and thank me later.

Cheers, and welcome to the Burgh!