Pittsburgh Area Breweries-in-Planning

--Aurochs - marketing to the gluten-free niche

Would love to see this, especially if they make hoppy offerings and bottle. Would be able to do a day trip and have the wife be happy ahe could have a beer.

 

I said something along the lines of this in another thread a while back:

Is it just me, or is Western PA a mecca for semi-experienced homebrewers to open breweries before they really should be? Is it like this in other markets? It seems like the majority of Pittsburgh-area breweries that are opening are founded by people who have been brewing for a year or two, and their friends tell them they really like their stuff. I don't have high hopes for most of the list above, but you never know...maybe a couple will surprise me. I haven't tried much from the "breweries" listed above, but based on the opinions I have heard from reputable sources, it sounds like a lot of these guys are in over their heads (I don't want to mention names, specifically, but I have heard negative things about 4 of those breweries above). I give them credit for following their dreams, and maybe they'll get through the initial growing pains and make some good beer.

This is just my opinion, but I am anxiously awaiting a top-notch brewery to open in Pittsburgh. One that I can't wait to grab some beers from when I am back in the area. (I don't count Voodoo, since it's a bit of a hike. Great beers though. Fat Head's is awesome, but I guess not technically a Pittsburgh brewery). Pittsburgh has a good beer scene, but lacks a great brewery or two in the city (again, just my opinion).

I do have high hopes for Roundabout. Very excited to see how this project ends up. The guy opening this place has some legit pro brewing experience....something that is severely lacking throughout the rest of the above list.

(Sorry if this rant rubs people the wrong way, but it's just, like, my opinion man).

 

To be fair to Helltown in my Pittsburgh brewery rant, I still haven't had anything from them. I hear good things though.

If I'm being perfectly honest, it could be a little jealousy on my part. But I read the bios on some of these guys, and it truly seems like some have more money than brains...or their KickStarter contributors have more money than brains. Brewing great beer takes practice, experience and technical know-how. Many of these guys aren't adjusting water profiles to suit the beer style, controlling fermentation temperatures, pitching the correct amount of yeast, etc., etc....you know, the things that separate okay beer from GOOD beer.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

 

Now Hop Farm Brewing Company. 100+ plant hop "nursery" currently...actively looking for more acreage.

Brewery/tasting room should be open at 5601 Butler St in Lawrenceville in the coming weeks/months. Equipment is installed, tasting room nearly completed and production should start shortly...new website under construction: www.hopfarmbrewingco.com

Will be attending Erie's Beer on the Bay later this month and then will also be at the Millvale Brewfest in early August.

Having had the opportunity to sample many pilot batches, I can say that the Saison is really something special.

 

Nope, the nursery is just outside of the city in Indiana Township.

 

You also missed listing Milkman. Havent heard much from them probably is the last year or so. Last I heard they were getting a space on the north side somewhere. Only other one Ive heard of is Big Swiss Brewing. Dont know much about them either. I think you got all the rest.

 

After some digging it looks like Roundabout is opening next Fri the 12th.

 

I talked to one of the guys at Milkman at that Rugby brewfest last year. Granted that was a while back at this point, but he seemed deadset about a location in the South Hills....maybe their plan is to keep us guessing...

A self-distributed brewery with a tasting room and growler fills/cans available for purchase on site needs walk in business, right?

 

I hope Hopfarm ends up turning out some good stuff. Could be nice to bounce back and forth between Roundabout and another place. Plus, I'm coming from the North, so I don't have to drive through the city to get to Larryville.

So pumped for Roundabout though...

 

Not gonna lie...had to google "leitmotif"

Let me preface (you like that word, Nate?) the following with the fact that I know very little about licensing and such, but my understanding is that they'll be able to sell cans and growler fills on site...but can't sell drafts...samples will be given away. There are long term plans to apply for the licensure (likely a "brewpub license"??) that would allow to expand what they can and can't sell such as drafts and then the kitchen will be open then as well.

 

I am genuinely excited about Roundabout. Steve Sloan has worked for places like Firestone Walker. I am hoping he can maybe finally give me great hoppy beers in the city limits. Helltown has good hop-forward beers, for sure, but when I am in Pittsburgh I spend most of my time in Oakland, Bloomfied or Lawrenceville. It would be nice to walk to RBC and grab a good growler.

I feel like all Pittsburgh breweries tend to play it incredibly safe. This might have to do with genuine skill and trade know-how being needed to push the envelope a bit (in all due respect to Scott at EEBC, who does have the skill and experience, he just doesn't seem to want to push it). I just have a hard time getting excited about a lot of the stuff I see coming out of the breweries.

 

Is this the same as "Copper Kettle"?

 

Butler Brew Works is still moving forward. Obviously there is no timeframe since they were supposed to be operational over a year ago. My best guess is still 9 months to a year away.

Helltown top-notch? Granted they likely have the best beer coming out of Pittsburgh with Idle Hands but the rest of the offerings I've had have been par for the course mediocrity.

I'm still not sure the Pittsburgh beer scene would know how to handle a truly top-notch brewery.