I'm going to be heading up to Pitt over V-day weekend, and I want to see if there is any place/brewery I should try and get to. I travel to the philly area a lot, so I don't think the distribution is a huge difference from the other side of PA, but maybe there is a few Ohio or Midwest beers you get over there I can't get on the eastern side. PS - If anyone is interested in doing an IP trade, I was thinking of putting up a trade later on. I'm thinking of bring a 6 pack or 2 of OTWOA. I may still put up the trade, but it couldn't hurt to mention it here first.
Churchbrew Works and the Fat Heads Saloon would be worth a visit since Churchbrew is a brewpub and they don't distribute and Fat Heads would have beers on tap that most likely don't make it to Philly often.
Church Brew Works distributes limitedly, BUT you should still go there because it's an environment for a brewpub, inside a salvaged church. There are going to be people who'll tell you not to go there because they think the beer or food is mediocre, but in my opinion you should ignore them - it's an awesome place & worth a visit, especially if you don't make it to Pittsburgh often. EDIT: And honestly, if you frequent Philly, there's not going to be much in the way of Pittsburgh bottle shops that will impress you.
Agree about the bottle shops, they aren't great (especially coming from Philly) but you might be able to find some stuff you can't get if you got o the Giant Eagles or if you take the drive to House of 1000 beers. I second definitely checking out Church Brew Works. The food is good and its a cool atmosphere. You are close enough to drive up to North Country in Slippery Rock (great food, ok beer) or if you have an hour (or so) to drive head up 79 to Voodoo.
Was in Pittsburgh a few years ago for a long weekend and enjoyed the following places: Bocktown (location near the airport), Penn Brewing, Church Brew Works, HofBrau Haus and East End (back at the old location; haven't been to the newer one). You might want to check out more recent reviews on this site but we had a blast.
I'm headed to Pittsburgh this weekend for a conference and plan on going to Church. Is Bocktown solid? Any chance they have bottles of Hopslam? I'm going to have very limited time to check out anything in Pitt other than Church, and it seems Bocktown is the only really solid option near the airport. Any other bars out that way to look into?
Yes, Bocktown is solid. After that if your looking for no craft beer really close try the Settle Inn for some Pittsburgh culture, pool , shuffleboard, and possibly a fight. I love that place.
Bocktown was good. Solid taplist the night I went, and they sold bottles that we could bring back to the hotel. Got to try some Fat Heads and other breweries we can't get in Boston. We tried to get a cab on Thursday night around 9:30 to take us from the airport area to Church Brew Works, but they pretty much refused to do it. It was a deadzone - very little going on and no way to get into town unless you rented a car.
Great if your ever back and stuck by the Airport another close (nocraft beer but fun bar) is "The Hanger" great for putting the finishing touches on. Lot's of inflight personal if you know what I mean.
House of 1000 Beers is a great place. 3 Rivers 6 Pack is great, as well. Both a bit of a drive outside the city. A few months ago I'd wholeheartedly suggest Fat Heads Saloon on East Carson, but I had a horrible experience and have decided I won't return for a long time. However, great beer list and and food. Hopslam might be on tap at a few places, but bottles are supper rare.
If you are looking for hopslam, your best bet around the airport is Mad Mex (Robinson) they update their taplist everyday, and right now it shows as "tapping soon", as of today (2-11), Bocktown does not have it on tap. They do have a nice cooler selection, so they might have bottles.
