Visiting Pittsburgh - Looking for Recommendations

Discussion in 'Mid-Atlantic' started by DrewBrew87, Jan 13, 2014.

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  1. DrewBrew87

    DrewBrew87 Initiate (0) Dec 17, 2013 South Carolina

    I'll be in Pittsburgh, technically in Cranberry, for a couple days next week. Wanted some recommendations on some places to check out. Preferrably bottle shops where I might be able to get some beers that aren't available to me down in SC. The closer to Cranberry the better, but I'm willing to drive.

    I would love to get ahold of some DH 120 min since SC laws don't allow its sell here, but I'm not sure what it's availability is.

    Would also love to pick up some Hopslam if it gets released while I'm up there. I'm afraid I'm going to miss out on it in SC while I'm out of town.
     
    #1 DrewBrew87, Jan 13, 2014
  2. DrewBrew87

    DrewBrew87 Initiate (0) Dec 17, 2013 South Carolina

    My other question would be, what are some of the local (PA and surrounding states), can't miss gems, I should be on the look out for?
     
    #2 DrewBrew87, Jan 13, 2014
  3. John_M

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

    First off, try doing a topic search in this forum, as your question comes up pretty frequently. Here's an example, for instance:

    http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/bottle-shop-near-pittsburg.142295/#post-2036168

    From my time living in Morgantown, I confess I never did get the impression that there were a lot of great bottleshop options in the Pittsburgh area. House of 1000 beers seemed to be the best bet, based on some of the posts I read over, but even there, opinions were all over the place (my impression was pretty postive, but admittedly, prices for some things were definitely on the high side, and freshness was often an issue). Smokin Joe's on E. Carson has a pretty nice "take out" selection, and their prices seemed to be no worse than any place else I visited (especially given the location).

    As for finding 120 minute IPA, I'm not sure how available it is, but if any place would have it, I would expect it to be House of 1000 beers. It's a bit of a haul to get to from Cranberry, but if you have nothing better to do... They also have a small bar area inside as well, with an often surprisingly excellent tap list selection. Anyway, here's the BA data for it:

    http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/15450/?view=ratings

    As for Hopslam, all I can say is good luck. Places like Piper's pub and Smokin Joe's are sure to get some kegs in (I'm sure Smokin Joe's will have bottles as well, though it's anyone's guess how long they'll last), but the stuff flies out the door. Last year I stopped by Piper's the afternoon they tapped a firkin of HS, and I was told it was gone an hour after opening (which unfortunately, was that morning). In fact, every place I stopped by during HS season last year, indicated they were out of it before I was able to get some (despite some of the online taplists that indicated they had it). Ultimately, I was able to find it on tap at the Galley down in Marrietta, Ohio, and I also got a couple 6 packs at the house of wine down there as well. However, I'm assuming you don't want to make the 2 hour plus drive down to Marietta to find some there.

    Ummmm.... at least IMHO, there is nothing in WV that would warrant your driving down on a beer gem mission. (including, IMHO, anything from Bridge Brew Works).

    Good luck.
     
    #3 John_M, Jan 13, 2014
  4. HumphreyLee

    HumphreyLee Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2011 Pennsylvania

    If you're going to Cranberry, your best place to hit is Vintage Estates in Boardman about a half hour away a they have the best beer environment within an hour of the city of Pittsburgh I feel. You are also about twenty minutes from Shaler Giant Eagle and a half hour from the House of 1000 Beers from there too. Whole Foods in Wexford has a solid little tap and six pack setup and is 15 minutes from there too. And if you happen to be staying at the Marriott there hit me up because I work there and am here all week and will try and direct you to where you need to be. Heh. Cheers...
     
    #4 HumphreyLee, Jan 13, 2014
  5. ejimhof

    ejimhof Grand Pooh-Bah (3,689) Apr 12, 2004 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you want to stay in Cranberry stop at Mad Mex for happy hour 4:30-6:30 1/2 off drafts and they maintain a stock of bottles that last long because they are a little higher priced.You will need to ask the bartender about bottles because they don't have display coolers. Then go on 228 to Doublewide Grill for happy hour 5-7. There are two Giant Eagles nearby that will have bottles for sale.
     
    #5 ejimhof, Jan 13, 2014
  6. Brown120

    Brown120 Initiate (0) Dec 5, 2011 Pennsylvania

    Vintage estates is the best but they will not have120...Ohio Law.
     
    #6 Brown120, Jan 14, 2014
  7. makeminerandom

    makeminerandom Initiate (0) Jan 11, 2014 Pennsylvania

    Church Brew Works is worth a drive into the downtown area. They have several excellent offerings (although the Cherry Quadzilla isn't currently in brewing rotation). And I would second the suggestion of the DoubleWide Grill for someplace in Cranberry. They've got a good selection on tap, and awesome food!
     
    #7 makeminerandom, Jan 14, 2014
  8. sammy806

    sammy806 Pundit (834) Feb 29, 2008 Maryland

    Some friends and I did a roadtrip to Pittsburgh a few years ago and, as HumphreyLee states above, would definitely recommend Vintage Estates in Boardman. We stayed at a Marriott near the airport which made it about an hour drive to Boardman each way but it was well worth it. Plus we were across the street from Bocktown which was also a good place to visit.
     
    #8 sammy806, Jan 14, 2014
  9. DrewBrew87

    DrewBrew87 Initiate (0) Dec 17, 2013 South Carolina

    Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I'm going to call a couple of the bottle shops you all recommended and see if they have some of the particular beers I'm interested in available.

    Does anyone know anything about Bud's Suds. I only ask because it popped up as being in Cranberry but I can't find any reviews. Here's their website, even though it gives zero useful information other than a phone number http://www.budssuds.com/

    Church Brew Works looks awesome! And so does Vintage Estates! I'll have to see if I'm able to get away from my fellow traveling work companions long enough to go visit those two!
     
    #9 DrewBrew87, Jan 15, 2014
  10. ejimhof

    ejimhof Grand Pooh-Bah (3,689) Apr 12, 2004 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Buds Suds is a distributor which means you need to buy a case of 24.
     
    #10 ejimhof, Jan 15, 2014
  11. KnightRider

    KnightRider Zealot (536) May 20, 2007 Pennsylvania


    No, No, NO! Church has horrible food, mediocre beer. Unique brewery though. But definitely not worth the drive.
     
    #11 KnightRider, Jan 18, 2014
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  12. ejimhof

    ejimhof Grand Pooh-Bah (3,689) Apr 12, 2004 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    #12 ejimhof, Jan 18, 2014
  13. John_M

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

    Unfortunately, +1 to this... at least in my experience. I'd still recommend a visit though, as the setting is THAT unique.
     
    #13 John_M, Jan 18, 2014
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  14. mikeburd1128

    mikeburd1128 Maven (1,409) Oct 28, 2011 New Jersey

    +2 to this. Very unique setting, but in my experience the food and beer have been subpar on both my visits there. I truly don't understand why people keep recommending the place.
     
    #14 mikeburd1128, Jan 18, 2014
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  15. ejimhof

    ejimhof Grand Pooh-Bah (3,689) Apr 12, 2004 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Better question is how did CBW win the GABF medal in 2012. I know Steve Sloan is gone but did the beer really change that much?
     
    #15 ejimhof, Jan 18, 2014
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  16. DrewBrew87

    DrewBrew87 Initiate (0) Dec 17, 2013 South Carolina

    So I guess I may have been a little overzealous about my trip, thinking that I would actually be able to get out and visit some beer joints. However, the trip was a success because I was able to pull off an IP trade with HumphreyLee. He hooked me up with some Wulver, BA Siberian Night, BCBS, and DFH WWS (not available in SC due to ABV laws)!
     
    #16 DrewBrew87, Jan 23, 2014
  17. PA-Michigander

    PA-Michigander Grand Pooh-Bah (3,372) Nov 10, 2013 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    But you didn't go to any beer joints?
     
    #17 PA-Michigander, Jan 24, 2014
  18. DrewBrew87

    DrewBrew87 Initiate (0) Dec 17, 2013 South Carolina

    Unfortunately not :slight_frown:

    The combination of the short trip and long meetings, nasty weather, and traveling alone with my boss and only one rental car made exploring very difficult this trip. Luckily I go back a couple times a year and normally with some more similarly minded coworkers and thanks to this thread I already have a list of places to go to on future trips! Thanks again everyone, I hate it didn't work out this time.
     
    #18 DrewBrew87, Jan 24, 2014
  19. HumphreyLee

    HumphreyLee Initiate (0) Jan 15, 2011 Pennsylvania

    Maybe next time if you can get away I can work it so I can just escort you to VE or the House from the hotel one night. For the sake of my sanity I know I could use the night out. Heh. Cheers mate...
     
    #19 HumphreyLee, Jan 25, 2014
  20. baybum

    baybum Initiate (0) Feb 10, 2011 Pennsylvania

    Figured I'd jump on this thread. I'm visiting the Southside Park area and then out by the airport, driving in from Philly. Any bottle shop suggestions and what might be out on the shelves? Any Hoppin Frog BA beers, wulver, etc? I am hitting up East End on the way out for an IP trade. Also stopping at Pizza Boy, so I could have a few growlers. Any advise is helpful.
     
    #20 baybum, Jan 25, 2014
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