Pittsburgh - New Beers & Local Breweries

Hit up Spoonwood from the first time this evening with the family. I appreciate that this is one of the few new places that's a legit brewpub, with a real kitchen & dining area. The beer was decent to good, too - I really dug the session IPA. It's also awesome for families with kids, at least during nice weather - the big, fenced-in cornhole court had a few toddlers running around, including mine.

 

I'm not sure why, but I suspect that they are also the one's that continue to support some of the "not up to par establishments" around the city. Somebody's keeping these places open.

 

Ummmm...it's a fundraiser! I think it's for construction junction isn't it?

 

Call me callous but I really don't give a shit. That seems like a weak cop out to overcharge. I live within walking distance of Construction Junction and have never been there. I don't care about them. And even if I did, spending $125 to drink some beer for 3 hours is absurd.

 

Yeah that's an absurd price even for a fundraiser. I actually like Construction Junction though and go there from time to time. I'm happy to give them my business but that price is excessive.

 

Wrong.

$125 for Enthusiast.

$80 for regular

From the site:

Reuse Enthusiast Tickets $125/each. Ticket includes a t-shirt, complimentary Taster Glass, Brew Caddy, all fees & taxes (except mobile delivery, if selected), and $30 donation to CJ. [Please Note: this ticket doesn't entitle the ticket holder to use the Sponsor entrance—sponsorships begin at Pint/$750 level.] There is no designated driver ticket at the Reuse Enthusiast ticket level.

Regular Tickets
$80/each Regular Admission & $35/each Designated Driver.
Ticket includes a complimentary Taster Glass, Brew Caddy, and all fees & taxes (except mobile delivery, if selected).

 

That makes more sense.

 

that makes even less sense... unless you typically pay 45 dollars for a t shirts cause that's the only difference unless im missing something

 

You're missing the $30 donation. The shirt would be $15.

 

ah I see. 85 dollars with no donation is crazy... I haven't been to the big pour in a few years but I don't remember anything special that's worth that price tag

 

Well it probably doesn't matter to you either...but it's also all you can eat food from some of the best restaurants around pittsburgh.

Geez you guys are rough. It's a great event for a great cause....probably because it's not full of pretentious beer nerds who feel like the beers aren't good enough....and can't justify opening their wallets for the benefit of someone other than themselves.

 

id have no problem with 85 dollars if I was making a 30 dollar donation... I feel 50 bucks is more than fair for an event like this.

 

So... If I open up my wallet and donate to charity independently without buying an over priced Big Pour ticket, is that acceptable?

No disagreement that it's a good cause and I regularly patronize Construction Junction, but that ticket is just too pricey IMO. I'll continue to shop there and contribute on my own, though.

 

Maybe like 3-4 years ago some breweries were still bringing good beers. One of those years Founders brought Cashew Mountain Brown (this was long before the mess that is known as frangelic). To this day, still probably one of my top 5 favorite beers ever, but I doubt any of you guys would have liked it because it isn't barrel aged or a stout or a sour. Although it was pretty super rar, so maybe. No one else knew what it was so I just posted up at the Founders table and told the dude to keep filling my glass.

 

It has nothing to do with the beer and everything to do with the price.

 

I'm probably going to be in Vermont in a week or so. Anybody have any helpful hints for getting Alchemist stuff these days? Also, any must stop spots other than HF? I haven't drank beer in VT in probably 12 years, so I think a few things may have changed since last I was there. (I haven't been that into any of the Lawson's stuff I've had over the years, but probably only had half a dozen or so of their beers, so open to checking it out if everyone says I'm crazy not to.)

Also, not sure what kind of limits there are going to be, but I'm happy to pick some stuff up for people if there are any requests. Just know, I'll be in VT at the beginning of a short road trip, so it's probably going to be sitting in my car for a week or so before it gets back to Pittsburgh.

 

Copious amounts of Arthur.

 

Doesn't look like they have Arthur right now.

 

Fiddlehead

 

I was only being half serious since I wasn't sure if you were planning on going up to North Bumfuck, Vermont. On a serious note, what @kbuzz said. Second Fiddle is awesome and I'd love to try Mastermind.