Pittsburgh to Youghiogheny River

I'll take a stab at it. Not knowing your preferred route. You could stop at Robinson Giant Eagle Market District near the airport. They should have some Voodoo and Fatheads regular offerings and a nice selection of Beer available around Pittsburgh. If taking the Parkway East to the Pa turnpike in Monroeville, Fatheads wouldn't be out of the way. If you take Rt. 28 to the turnpike at Harmarville, that would bring Roundabout, Grist House and Draai Laag into play. Swinging off Rt. 28 at the Highland Park bridge to go to Brew Gentlemen or Voodoo would easily be 30 minutes each way.

 

Now that I think about it, because I am not from over that way, but coming up the Parkway East to the turnpike in Monroeville you could get off the Swissvale exit and be about 10 to 15 minutes from Brew Gentlemen and Voodoo. Friday's a lot of these places don't open till 4, keep in mind.

 

Based on what I know of the route from PIT to Nemacolin, all of the best breweries are going to be out of your way. Your best bet is Market District Robinson/Whole Foods South Hills and all the breweries in the South Hills such as Hitchhiker, Insurrection, Spoonwood, and Mindfull. If you have the time to go out of your way, you may want to monitor Dancing Gnome's can releases. Voodoo does random can releases too. With all the construction going on around town, for you to make DG, BG or Voodoo, you should add an hour + whatever time you plan to stay at those places to make the trip from the airport.

 

The Setters Ridge/Robinson Market District (Giant Eagle) is definitely your best bet for bottled/canned beer. They also have taps and fill growlers, which they have on premises. Most of the breweries are both out of the way AND do not have bottles or cans for sale, even though they obviously fill growlers.

I'd recommend Helicon in Oakdale, PA, if you really want to hit a brewery. They are on the way to I-79 from PIA. Probably about 10 minutes out of the way from 376/Parkway West. They open at 11 on Fridays and have some very good beers. Growlers only, though.

 

Google maps says the airport to Ohiopyle shortest route in time and miles as I-376 to I-76. That would be known as the Parkway East and PA Turnpike around here. You could definitely hit Fatheads for beer as their open for lunch and have a small bottle shop upstairs or growlers at the bar. The Brew Gentlemen and Voodoo don't open until later, but Voodoo has a good variety of cans available. There is also 2 bottle shops a short distance from the Turnpike Donegal exit if you go that way. It's right where you turn to go to Living Treasures Animal Park. I have never been in either, so that's a roll of the dice.

 

He mentioned he was going to Nemacolin. So that's what I was going off of. Either case, he isn't getting off highway through our city and getting beer at BG nor Voodoo without adding an hour to get off and back on. Unless he's going there at well after rush hour. DG is right off the exit. So if you're lucky and hitting 28 before rush, you can bounce off and back on in maybe 30 min.

I forgot about Helicon. Good call @EvenMoreJesus. That's an option too.

Either way, cheers. Enjoy your trip. Many of good options around our area.

 

I guess I focused on the whitewater part in Ohiopyle instead of Nemacolin. You could still do my suggestion as Ohiopyle is only 15 minutes from Nemacolin.

 

If you're coming down I-79 South from the airport, Insurrection Aleworks in Bridgeville would be a very easy stop and wouldn't add much time. They fill growlers and have been making some pretty good beers lately. Not sure what day you will be going but they open at noon on Fridays I believe.

Also, close to the Market District in Settlers Ridge/Robinson is the House of Brews beer distributor in Robinson Town Center. They have a pretty good selection and will have Fat Heads, some Voodoo and would be a good stop for more bulk purchases.

 

I've only had the pizza, wings, and cheese plates but all were very good. Warning: the spicy BBQ wings use ghost or scorpion peppers and are seriously hot.

 

Like RandyRanderson said Insurrection is right along the way, excellent food and decent selection. So is 99 bottles. A lot of people were suggesting you stop at the Market District, but I think 99 Bottles has a better selection of drafts and bottles than MD if that's what you're looking for.

Also along your route is a new brewery in Canonsburg called Rusty Gold brewing. It would be outside the city, along I-79 but before you hit I-70. Had a few beers of theirs at a beerfest and they were good; friend of mine says their food is good, too.