Pittsburgh this Saturday...

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by John_M, Nov 8, 2012.

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  1. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    :-) Maybe not in Pittsburgh, but I used to see if fairly often at Max's in Baltimore (the jaipur that is). It's an especially tasty beer on cask, I think.

    I actually enjoy English football (soccer) quite a bit, and the Piper Pub really does sound like a great place. However, I'm resigned to the fact that I can't go everyplace in just a single weekend, but I've got plenty of time, so there's no doubt I'll get around to it at some point (along with the dozen or so other places folks have recommended on this thread). Given the options available here in Morgantown, my guess is I'll be driving up to Pittsburgh at least a couple times a month. I take good beer pretty seriously, and in Morgantown, well, it's apparent most places don't.

    Thanks again for all the suggestions!
     
    #41 John_M, Nov 9, 2012
  2. phanlon

    phanlon Initiate (0) May 7, 2012 Pennsylvania

    It was Helltown, although based on Twitter from last night I think they are now all kicked.
     
    #42 phanlon, Nov 9, 2012
  3. Hoprider

    Hoprider Devotee (399) Feb 1, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Carnivores is a definite stop if you're in that area. Probably more of a sports bar than any other place mentioned except for Rick's. They always seems to get no mention in the Pittsburgh craft scene for some reason.
     
    #43 Hoprider, Nov 10, 2012
  4. ottodyer

    ottodyer Initiate (0) Oct 27, 2009 Minnesota

    Still can't believe Baltimore lost johnmichaelsen, and I know you'll be back for the main events but it won't be the same to just randomly run into you.
     
    #44 ottodyer, Nov 10, 2012
  5. yinzer

    yinzer Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2006 Pennsylvania

    What time? So we can bring in beerzz?
     
    #45 yinzer, Nov 10, 2012
  6. HumphreyLee

    HumphreyLee Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2011 Pennsylvania

    SMOKIN JOE'S! 40 beers on tap, pretty much all good stuff, and it's an actual bar bar. Nothing fruffy, just beer, a pool table, some TV's, etc. And it's next to the Lava Lounge so you can admire the *ahem* "talent" the South Side brings without having to actually go inside that dimly lit hellhole.
     
    #46 HumphreyLee, Nov 10, 2012
  7. jeevo

    jeevo Pundit (976) Nov 1, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    The last time I was at the Lava Lounge which was about two years ago, some girl tried kicking me in the balls and fell over. Apparently she was wearing heels in that maze of trash and I stepped on her foot. She fell over and started cussing me out in front of like 15 people and caused a huge scene. I was waiting for her to throw a beer at me because she was pretty pissed, but she never did.

    God does that place suck.
     
    #47 jeevo, Nov 10, 2012
  8. OneDropSoup

    OneDropSoup Pooh-Bah (2,213) Dec 9, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Smokin' Joe's has 60 taps & is several blocks away from Lava Lounge (which is actually pretty nice). Did you mean Tiki Lounge?
     
    #48 OneDropSoup, Nov 10, 2012
  9. OneDropSoup

    OneDropSoup Pooh-Bah (2,213) Dec 9, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    One of the bartenders is throwing me a diaper party there from 1 to 5. It's not really a "meet-up", per se, but you're welcome to stop by if you'd like to share.
     
    #49 OneDropSoup, Nov 10, 2012
  10. HumphreyLee

    HumphreyLee Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2011 Pennsylvania

    Yes to both! Sorry, really tired last night. Bleh.
     
    #50 HumphreyLee, Nov 10, 2012
  11. ejimhof

    ejimhof Grand Pooh-Bah (3,689) Apr 12, 2004 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    John, ,where did you end up?
     
    #51 ejimhof, Nov 11, 2012
  12. PubMariner

    PubMariner Initiate (0) Nov 13, 2012 Pennsylvania

    House of 1000 Beers is a definite must. A little outside of Pgh itself, but always a good time.
    Penn Brewery is a must, too.
    Also, not really beer, but Arsenal Cidery in Lawrenceville is awesome. Damn fine cider.
     
    #52 PubMariner, Nov 13, 2012
  13. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The Rivertowne Inn (Verona) and the Industry Public House. Both places were fine, but considering that I'm coming up from Morgantown, they were a bit more of a drive than I want to do on a regular basis. The Rivertowne Inn, in particular, struck me as more of a decent neighborhood spot. They had a nice selection of draft options, but I didn't feel it was so outstanding that I would to drive out that way again any time soon.

    The Industry Public House was a bit more interesting, with a larger and somewhat more impressive range of draft options. I was a bit unhappy with the service there, and some of the "touches," but I thought it generally a decent spot. Food at both places was pretty good I thought.
     
    #53 John_M, Nov 13, 2012
  14. SwillBilly

    SwillBilly Savant (1,180) Feb 4, 2004 Virginia

    How's Morgantown treating you John. Was up 2 weeks ago. Spent Friday afternoon at Morgantown Brewing Co. Solid IPA. Assistant brewer was treating us to samples of upcoming beers, Series of Pales and IPA's. All pretty good.
     
    #54 SwillBilly, Nov 13, 2012
  15. Preluderl

    Preluderl Pooh-Bah (1,796) Sep 27, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I've never been to Morgantown Brewing Co. but definitely need to check it out. Was good to read through this thread as well as I live in Pittsburgh.
     
    #55 Preluderl, Nov 13, 2012
  16. psuKinger

    psuKinger Pundit (850) Feb 2, 2005 Pennsylvania

    In that case, apologies.

    Of the places I know of that have better beer options (and there are plenty, Fathead's, Smokin' Joes, Piper's, The Headkeeper, The House of 1000 Beers, Rick's Sports Bar, Dee's Regent Square, Dee's Monroeville, and The Sharp Edge Emporium, as the first examples that come to my mind that I frequent), I didn't/don't feel comfortable recommending any of them if your objective is to get a seat somewhere where you won't miss "the game" (which rules out most of them, IMO), AND you can get a half-decent bite to eat (which rules out Rick's... and the jury is still out on the food at Piper's, IMO, although many disagree with me on that).


    I didn't realize you were making the trip up purely for this reason. I assumed you were just going to be in town (for business or something) and wanted to catch the game somewhere that had some good beer and decent food.
     
    #56 psuKinger, Nov 13, 2012
  17. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Morgantown is fine, but it's been a while since I've been in a town where there's so little little interest in craft beer. Also, it's not unusual to go into a beer bar where several of the tap handles have been off for days, and at some places it can take weeks (up to a month in fact) before the bar goes through a keg. Consequently, freshness is VERY much of an issue around here.

    I've only been to MBC on one occassion (it ws the first place I stopped by when I arrived), and I clearly need to go back. While I don't think the quality of the beer there is anything to write home about, at least freshness is never an issue, and in hindsight, that's something I've learned to appreciate and no longer take for granted in Morgantown.
     
    #57 John_M, Nov 13, 2012
  18. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    :-) Are you kidding. I live in Morgantown, so coming up for good beer is very much a destination event.

    Anyway, no need to apologize... I enjoy places like the Rivertowne Inn, and it's a place I would certainly visit again if I happened to be in the area. That being said, the Industry Public House is probably closer to what I'm looking for, with their much more extensive draft list and extensive television selection. One of the server's I spoke to seemed a bit apologetic about the quality of the current tap list, and indicated they expected to put on a much more extensive selection of seasonals and limited release beers in th near future. Unfortunately, I didn't have the best experience there with the service there, but maybe that was a one time abberation.
     
    #58 John_M, Nov 13, 2012
  19. John_M

    John_M Grand High Pooh-Bah (6,849) Oct 25, 2003 Washington
    Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    :-) On the bright side, I suspect Brian S. at Stillwater is flipping cartwheels over my departure.
     
    #59 John_M, Nov 13, 2012
  20. jeevo

    jeevo Pundit (976) Nov 1, 2012 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    johnmichaelsen, what did you get to eat at Industry Public House? I'm sorry to hear that you didn't have the best time there, and hope it wasn't a wasted day for you. Their draft list is usually excellent, however.

    I've only been there three or four times and have never had bad service, but they are known for having very slow and non-attentive service. Friends, online reviews, family, a lot of people have mentioned this. I don't understand how this type of service is this prevalent at a trendy restaurant / bar in an up and coming nightspot.
     
    #60 jeevo, Nov 13, 2012
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