Pittsburgh can't misses...

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by ncstateplaya, Dec 4, 2012.

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  1. ncstateplaya

    ncstateplaya Maven (1,269) Nov 8, 2008 North Carolina

    I am going to be coming into Pittsburgh for an extended weekend and was hoping to get a list of can't miss spots (Bars, Breweries, Bottle Shops). Going to be in the Allentown area, but will have transportation. I am very interested in finding beers that aren't distributed to NC. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
    Thanks
     
    #1 ncstateplaya, Dec 4, 2012
  2. WassailWilly

    WassailWilly Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2007 New York

    #2 WassailWilly, Dec 4, 2012
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  3. DeutschesBier

    DeutschesBier Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2009 Maryland

    If you have time and a car, I would drive to Route 28 South and drive 30 minutes or so to House of 1,000 Beers in New Kensington, PA.

    Since you're coming from NC, you will find a ton of stuff that you haven't seen on shelves before.
     
    #3 DeutschesBier, Dec 4, 2012
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  4. John_M

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

    In terms of beer bars, I would recommend Smokin Joe's and the Piper pub. Sharpe Edge is great if you want to get your Belgium on, but for a great craft beer selection, I'd go with the Piper and Smokin Joe's. Fatheads is also pretty good, but the place gets so crowded at times, service can really suffer. I just don't find it a very relaxing place to kick back with a beer, even though undeniably, the tap selection there is great. All three places are within walking distance on E. Carson St.

    Haven't been to House of 1000 beers, but I've also heard really good things about the place as well.

    Have fun!
     
    #4 John_M, Dec 4, 2012
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  5. shuggy

    shuggy Pundit (818) Dec 22, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Trader

    If you are really going to be in the Allentown area you will need to account for the 4+ hour drive to any Pittsburgh destination.
     
    #5 shuggy, Dec 4, 2012
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  6. outoffocus

    outoffocus Maven (1,255) Nov 10, 2012 Pennsylvania

    Assume he means the Pittsburgh neighborhood called Allentown, which is pretty convenient to the Southside, which is where Fatheads, Pipers and Smokin Joes are located. Carson Street Deli, also in Southside, has a good craft selection both on tap and in bottles. It isn't huge, but they keep some good stuff in. Buddy's Brews, which is also on Carson, has a good craft selection but it is a distributor so they only sell by the case. If you are looking to load up on various things you can't get in NC your best bet will probably be a Giant Eagle that sells beer, which have the cheapest six packs.

    Also House of 1000 Beers would be 28 North from there.
     
    #6 outoffocus, Dec 5, 2012
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  7. DeutschesBier

    DeutschesBier Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2009 Maryland

    [

    Also House of 1000 Beers would be 28 North from there.[/quote]


    Haha yeah, my bad. I'm from a town about 20 mins North of New Ken. Used to saying "28 South".
     
    #7 DeutschesBier, Dec 5, 2012
  8. HumphreyLee

    HumphreyLee Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2011 Pennsylvania

    Reiterating what's already been said: Sharp Edge (for the beer AND food), Fatheads' and Smokin' Joes in the South Side, and House of 1000 Beers for beer store action. Honestly, the Giant Eagle in Shaler on Route 8 is totally worth stopping by for beer as well.
     
    #8 HumphreyLee, Dec 5, 2012
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  9. ncstateplaya

    ncstateplaya Maven (1,269) Nov 8, 2008 North Carolina

    Thanks for all of the recommendations!!! Yeah, the Allentown neighborhood, I guess I should have been clearer in my OP. Good to hear about Sharp Edge for the food also...all of the spots on Carson should be within walking distance so that will be great. I may get up to 1000 Beers if we head up to Deer Lakes for some disc golf. Giant Eagle...I will have to keep that in mind as well. Thanks again!!!
     
    #9 ncstateplaya, Dec 5, 2012
  10. Psykhe

    Psykhe Initiate (0) Oct 7, 2010 Maryland

    I'm going to echo all of the recommendations above, especially Church Brew Works and Piper's Pub.

    Piper's is a fantastic place to try out all of the local breweries/meaderies/etc. Their food has been consistently good on all of my visits, they have a great Scotch list, and they tend to have a couple of cask offerings.


    If you're in the area of CBW already, you should check out Wigle Whiskey, Pittsburgh's first distillery since Prohibition- if you go during their tasting hours, you can do a sample flight (or opt for a dram or a cocktail) for $5.
    Within walking distance of those two places is Arsenal Cider House & Wine Cellar, which specializes in mead, hard cider, and "Cider-style" fruit wines. You can find them on tap at a lot of the places mentioned above as well. (Hours: Friday 4-9, Sat noon-9, Sun noon-4, Closed Mon & Tues, Wed & Thurs 4-8)


    And, of course, East End Brewing, which just moved in to their new location. If you don't feel like driving/trekking/biking over to Julius St, they do have Growler Hours in the Pittsburgh Public Market (located in the same area as CBW and the others).
     
    #10 Psykhe, Dec 5, 2012
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  11. ncstateplaya

    ncstateplaya Maven (1,269) Nov 8, 2008 North Carolina

    Wow Psykhe, thanks. Wigle Whiskey sounds like a great idea. Growler hours...that sounds cool. Will they fill any amber 64oz growler, ones I bring from NC from another brewery? I am unfamiliar with the alcohol laws in PA.
     
    #11 ncstateplaya, Dec 5, 2012
  12. Psykhe

    Psykhe Initiate (0) Oct 7, 2010 Maryland

    You'll have to buy a growler from them due to the PLCB. They only cost $3 though.

    Here's their official word on things- http://www.eastendbrewing.com/growlers


    And they're accepting Credit Cards at the new location which is a definite plus!
     
    #12 Psykhe, Dec 5, 2012
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  13. John_M

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

    Just as an oh by the way, it's only breweries in Pa. that are (possibly) prohibited from filling any growler other than their own. Brewpubs and beer bars can fill "foreign" growlers as far as the PLCB is concerned, though sometimes local municipalities prohibit it, and in some instances the brewpub or bar itself will elect to prohibit the practice. The PLCB is arguably one of the most incompetent state agencies on the planet, but as they seem to feel they are also the only one's capable of interpreting Pa's archaic, often contradictory alcohol laws, what they say generally seems to go. It also seems to depend on which PLCB minion you speak to, as often one minion's "interpretation" of the law will differ from another minion's interpretation (I believe some PLCB minions have concluded that that Pa. liquor laws do not, in fact, prohibit the use of foreign growlers.) That being said, I certainly don't blame any Pa. brewery for electing not to take a chance and prohibit the use of any outside growlers, and of course regardless of what the law actually says on the subject, you'll need to purchase a growler at East End should you wish obtain a growler fill of any of their beers. Best of luck...

    For a more interesting (and far more entertaining) discussion of the PLCB's numerous faults, go here:

    http://noplcb.blogspot.com/
     
    #13 John_M, Dec 5, 2012
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  14. ncstateplaya

    ncstateplaya Maven (1,269) Nov 8, 2008 North Carolina

    Thanks, and I really enjoyed your explanation of the PLCB...I feel the same way about some of our laws in NC. Dude we can't even have "happy hours"...it encourages people to drink. Who's ever heard of such bullshit?
     
    #14 ncstateplaya, Dec 5, 2012
  15. John_M

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

    Well hell! I drive up from Morgantown periodically, so I'm coming up from the south anyway. So yes, I would be very interested in finding a bottle shop with a great selection that has very low prices. If you can tell me about any great beer bars in the area as well, I would be in your debt.

    Nothing against the great places on Carson St., but it woud be very nice if I could shave some driving time off of my trips up to Pittsburgh on occassion.
     
    #15 John_M, Dec 6, 2012
  16. John_M

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

    You can count on it! Thanks!!! (could you possibly send me some info on the hours and loation of your distributorship? I will likely stop by sometime next week.)

    I'm already thinking a case of hopslam in January will make life here in Morgantown a lot more tolerable! :-)
     
    #16 John_M, Dec 6, 2012
  17. skaboom420

    skaboom420 Initiate (0) Sep 21, 2012 Pennsylvania

    there is a place in canonsburg not too far off of 79.
    http://www.guntownbeer.com their selection is decent.
     
    #17 skaboom420, Dec 6, 2012
  18. John_M

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

    Interesting. I would be even more interested if it were in Washington or Waynesburg, but it still looks like it might save me 20 or 30 minutes driving time to Carson St. :-)

    Thanks for the recommendation... I'll definitely check it out!
     
    #18 John_M, Dec 6, 2012
  19. jmw

    jmw Initiate (0) Feb 4, 2009 North Carolina

    Yeah, I'll look into this one also. Never knew it was out there. Thanks 'boom.
     
    #19 jmw, Dec 7, 2012
  20. brewman63

    brewman63 Initiate (0) May 15, 2008 Pennsylvania

    Church Brew Works is labeled one of the top 100 places in the world to have a beer. You can't pass it up!
     
    #20 brewman63, Dec 7, 2012
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