Visiting Pittsburgh

Fat Head's (bar that brews their own line, but not in Pittsburgh) in South Side would be on my must-see list.

Grist House is newer brewery that puts out good stuff, in Millvale, not too far from North Shore. Caliente is another bar, in Bloomfield, but will have a nice selection of beers to try as well.

I need to log off this computer at the moment (work), but will check back later (after a number of others no doubt) to add another two cents. Too bad you'll not be here later in April, when we celebrate our annual Craft Beer Week.

 

Well the North Shore is a good launching point to hit up several worthy beer spots in the city.

For downtown:
Sharp Edge (can get rather pricy, which I am tired of)

Larenceville/Millvale (these are the same distance as Church Brew Works, for the most part):
Atlas (bottle shop)
Roundabout*
Hop Farm
Draai Laag (limited days open)*
Grist House

*highly suggested

South Side (gets crazy on the weekends):
Piper's Pub
Fat Head's

Stick with a beer store in Pittsburgh. Nothing north of here compares to our widest selection available, so far as I know. Prices can be a bit high, imo.

And as @barflybastard noted, Craft Beer Week is April 17th-26th, in case that happens to coincide, though it sounds like it won't.

 

Guess I should've asked what kind of beers you favor.

As far as bottles, I'd hit up a Giant Eagle in Cranberry or North Hills on your way up to Erie.

 

I agree with @RblWthACoz, Pipers is great and right across the street from Fat Heads--a nice twofer. In the Strip/Lawersnceville area, I would also recommend Roundabout (over Church Brew Works).

 

Draai Laag is a very unique brewery, imo. They are expanding soon, so I am interested to see what they will doing in the future.

I would still suggest a visit to Church Brew Works, even if it's a quick one. The interior really is worth seeing. Plus, it's close enough to Roundabout, or any of the other Lawrenceville or Millvale breweries, that you can easily do a two-fer (while keeping the wife pleased). Atlas Bottle Works is also on the way to Roundabout and Hop Farm from Church Brew Works. If you do go to CBW, maybe keep an eye out for this beer. I haven't had it, but some people seem to think highly of it.

Drop us a line here to remind us that you are coming and we will let you know if there any noteworthy events or happenings going on during your visit.

 

That's the only thing to like about Church.

I'd second Fathead's and Piper's Pub. Hofbrauhaus is always fun.

 

For bottles, I mentioned Giant Eagle north of Pittsburgh, because our best independent bottle shops--House of 1000 Beers or Dee's Six Pax, will not really be near your location. Caliente will have a smaller selection of bottles if you decide to go there, but their prices will be slightly higher. The Giant Eagle in Cranberry actually has one of the better selections of beer, as compared to the other Giant Eagles (e.g. they carried Lady of the Woods, though I did not see it at any other of their locations).

 

Atlas Bottle Works should work for him, considering where he will be. But if you can get to a good Giant Eagle/Market District, definitely do so.

 

Hey the food is decent too...

 

Hey folks, I'd like to piggy back on this thread as it is relevant to me. I'll be traveling to Pittsburgh this Monday-Thursday for work and will be working out of an office at 600 Grant St. I won't have time to visit breweries, but would like to hit up a few good bottle shops. I plan on checking out house of 1000 beers, and folks have mentioned giant eagle, but was wonder which location is best? I'll have a car so any place within a 40min drive is doable. Thanks!

 

Welcome aboard. Atlas Bottle Works will also work for you, considering where you will be working.
Giant Eagle at Settler's Ridge or the Giant Eagle Market District at Waterworks also has a very wide selection. Waterworks is closer to your work spot.
D's isn't too far of a drive as well.
A 40 minute drive radius pretty much can get you anywhere worth checking out in Pittsburgh.

 

Yes to driving. Generally yes, on parking.

 

If you're heading to the house, the Waterworks Giant Eagle is on the way. Other than evening rush hour around the Highland Park Bridge, taking 28 out of town should be pretty painless and to the Waterworks will be like 15 minutes or around 30 minutes straight to the House.

 

Just a FYI that depending on where you are going in the city for work or whatever you can certainly get stuck in annoying traffic. 4 miles can take easily 25 minutes. Also, drivers are not the best in Pittsburgh. I've seen some crazy things on the road here and I've traveled a bit of the country. I like it here, but not the driving which is necessary.