Dormont residents, get ready to reload your fridge. Arsenal Cider Tap House is now open for takeout at 2905 West Liberty Ave.
The Lawrenceville-based company’s long-awaited South Hills location made its debut on Feb. 12. Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Customers can pick up bottles and cans or fill growlers with local beer, hard cider, wine and mead, including favorites such as Picket Bone Dry, Fighting Elleck and a new soft cider that has yet to be named.
When the site opens for dine-in service in March, they will serve cocktails on tap created by mixologist Erika Joyner, along with boozy sorbets and food offerings similar to the ones found at Haversack Sandwich Co., the eatery at Arsenal’s original location.
The new 1,400-square-foot spot, a former First Commonwealth Bank, has seating for about 77 patrons on the first floor and another 60 on the rooftop deck.
“It’s bigger than anything we’ve done so far,” says Bill Larkin, who co-owns the business with his wife Michelle.
Arsenal Cider launched 10 years ago at 300 39th St., near the historic Allegheny Arsenal. It was the first cidery in Western Pennsylvania.
Since then, the Larkins have opened several more locations, including sites at Soergel Orchards in Wexford, Trax Farms in Finleyville and a taproom in Cleveland. All have decor paying homage to the U.S. Civil War.
The Larkins distribute their cider, the majority of which is made at a production facility in Penn Hills, throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. The couple recently racked up awards at the U.S. Open Cider & Beverage Championship. Arsenal was named Grand National Champion for winning two gold medals for its Event Blend and Grant’s Flying Pumpkin.