Pittsburgh - New Beers & Local Breweries

I was at the brewery on Friday while in Erie and Jason gave me a sample of the Barrel Aged Ulster. Not a ton of barrel character, but it was really smooth and tasty. Definitely excited to see how it turns out when bottled and carbed.

 

Sure. I've seen it at Ho1KB & pretty sure D's.

 

Lavery used to be everywhere 2 years ago. I have noticed a significant drop (mostly at Giant Eagles) in availability in the past year. Whole foods has some 4/6 packs of their IPA's. But I haven't seen any large format bottles there in a while either.

 

The following is not a joke...

If anyone is planning to get more than one bottle, it's probably for real cheaper to travel north and buy it on the shelf than go to either of those locations to buy some.

 

GE MDX in McMurray still carries their stuff. Think I see it at GE MD South Hills as well, but not as much.

 

I think this coincides with having more local local options to choose from now. A few years ago, it was voodoo, lavery, penn, maybe full pint as our locals...now there are many more truly pittsburgh breweries that it might not be worth it to stock Erie stuff.

 

Fat Head's just announced that are distributing to Philly now. Dammit...that was the only thing we could hold over their heads distro-wise.

 

Im not sure if east end makes it out that way.

 

Knew that was coming; thought the same thing.

 

How many of the new guys bottle, though? Just Draai Laag, right?

 

Good (obvious) point. Maybe they feel with more local options on tap, they don't have to use up shelf space? I don't know...just pulling reasons out of my ass at this point...

 

Their sour saturdays are half bottles if not more

I really like cbs. Would fuss over.

East end. Brew gents ocasionally. Hop farm ocassionally. Idk how new theys are.

 

I think he meant both bottled and were in stores locally. Draai Laag is the only one who does both.

 

Something that's really holding most area breweries back imo. Hard to get the word out via brewery-only beer.

 

I don't think Lavery has done too many larger format offerings recently. I think Imperial French Ale and Liopard are the main ones they have been putting in 22s lately.

 

I will most likely head up to Erie Black Friday anyways to go people watching and for the specials on $0.44 / lb lunch meats.

So hit me up before that and I can maybe meet you up that way if you leave early or if it isn't until the mid day I can meet you in Meadville quick.

Never expected a Lavery Post to get so many comments

 

Guys you should see the line at Shadyside MD

 

It will be great when @brewgentlemen get their canning line up and running

FYI - peach apricot saison tapping on thursday (sounds great).

 

I like CBS, but I personally like KBS better. Even for something like CBS or KBS, I quit driving around hunting down releases. I had to ween myself off of it over the course of a couple years, but I am glad I did. When CBS hit, I drove all around Pittsburgh and Youngstown in order to grab 3 bottles. That was the first time I remember thinking "Why the fuck did I just do that?"

Now, if my locals get stuff in, I grab it. If not, I just assume I'll try it eventually. I still get the itch to drive all over to hunt down something like BCBCS, don't get me wrong...but I am now good at just getting past it.

It might also be easier for me to say that, since my locals - in a not so populated part of MD - still get in things like BCBS, BCBBW, Firestone Walker special releases, etc. Seems to be much harder to get this in Pittsburgh.

 

Nope...cause I live here and I'm in the same place. Way too many good beers on shelves these days...no need to chase.