Don’t have time to hit up all of Pittsburgh’s breweries? Sample beers from a bunch of them all at once by attending an upcoming brew festival. Designate your driver now.
Lagers make a comeback two times
Love lagers? You’re in luck!
Old Thunder Brewing Co. in Blawnox is hosting A Celebration of Pennsylvania Lager event on Feb. 9 from 3 to 10 p.m. Try interpretations of the style from various breweries on draft and enjoy food from Pittsburgh Tortas and Farmer x Baker. No tickets are required.
Another all-lager event is happening on April 30 from noon to 3 p.m. at Allegheny City Brewing on the North Side. Logger Jam: A Celebration of Local Lagers will be held at the brewery’s future beer garden, which is now a vacant lot on East Ohio Street. The event will feature beer, food and music. Ticket information to come.
Philly Invades Pittsburgh Beer Fest
On April 23, the Steel City will be awash in beer and brotherly love.
Breweries of PA, an online resource for Pennsylvania craft beer news, is hosting the Philly Invades Pittsburgh Beer Fest. Popular breweries from the other side of the state will bring their brand of suds west for locals to sip.
Businesses on tap include Second Sin Brewing Co., Warwick Farm Brewing, Forest & Main Brewing Co., Stable 12 Brewing Co., Levante Brewing Co., Fourscore Beer Co., Human Robot, Rebel Hill Brewing Co., Hidden River Brewing Co., Lost Tavern Brewing, Ten7 Brewing Co. and a mystery guest.
Sponsored by BruYou, an app that allows patrons to send and receive drinks, the event will be hosted by Necromancer Brewing Co. at 2257 Babcock Blvd. in Ross Township. Inside the 8,000-square-foot warehouse, there will be two sessions for 400 people each: noon to 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $55 and include unlimited pours from the 12 Philadelphia-area breweries. Necromancer will also have a lineup of brews available for purchase and food trucks will be on-site.
Tickets include a special raffle for cans from some of the latest releases from the participating breweries.
Beers of the Burgh Festival will be a two-day bash
The Beers of the Burgh Festival is coming back bigger and better in 2022.
For the first time, the event will be held on two consecutive Saturdays — June 4 and 11 — at the Carrie Blast Furnaces in Rankin.
There will be more than 70 local breweries on hand pouring their latest releases along with fan favorites. Each Saturday will also feature a lineup of food trucks and bands. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation and its mission to promote resource conservation and development, heritage tourism, cultural and educational programs, and economic revitalization in the area.
Tickets, which go on sale soon, include two-day and single-day passes. Festival-goers can also opt to include a tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces, the only non-operative blast furnaces that remain in our region.
The outdoor festival will go on rain or shine and is open to attendees aged 21 and older. No children or pets will be admitted. There will be a free shuttle connecting the festival to parking at The Waterfront. Location and details will be announced closer to the event.
Brews and Bruises Festival in Belle Vernon
Toss back a few beers and watch a few fights at this new festival on June 4 that combines craft beer and live professional wrestling.
Hosted by 412 Brewery and the Pittsburgh Brewery and Taproom Diversity Council, the event will be held at the Rostraver Ice Garden, a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Belle Vernon. Nearly 20 local beer- and cider-makers will serve libations while attendees watch battles in the ring.
Barrel & Flow Fest sets up in the Strip
On Aug. 12-14, The Stacks at 3 Crossings in the Strip District will host Barrel & Flow Fest, a showcase for Black brewers, art and music.
Friday’s festivities include a daylong conference featuring panels, classes, symposia and an evening bottle share event. On Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., attendees can commune with more than 75 breweries, 75 vendors and dozens of artists and musicians. Sunday’s Brewers Brunch features beer and food pairings.
