When Lolev Brewing Co. opens in Lawrenceville, it’s going to be a few steps above the owners’ humble beginnings on the lower level (hence the name) of a house in Philadelphia.
Brothers Ted and Scott Slesinski experimented with different beer styles in that basement for nearly a decade before deciding to go pro.
Now, after relocating to Pittsburgh to soak up the local craft beer scene, they’re opening a 7,500-square-foot taproom at 5247 Butler St. The corner building was constructed in 1912 and most recently housed Elevate Fusion Fitness. Once upon a time, though, it housed a beer distributor.
The Slesinskis are happy to bring beer back to the property next summer. The facility, which will feature décor by artists affiliated with Wicked Pittsburgh, will have ample seating. Eventually, they’d like to add rooftop seating to give patrons a bird’s eye view of bustling Butler Street.
There won’t be an on-site kitchen; instead, Lolev will rely on a rotating lineup of food trucks and possibly some local restaurant partnerships to feed hungry patrons.
Lolev’s 20-barrel system will crank out recipes the family has been refining for years. They’ve already honed in on a New England IPA, a Belgian quad and a lager. Beers will be available on tap and in cans.
Ted Slesinski says he got into homebrewing to recreate some of the mind-blowing beers he was driving hours to buy in New York City.
More of a traditionalist, Scott Slesinski enjoys the time-honored processes of creating different beer styles. He got a chance to do so while working at Braeloch Brewing in Kennett Square.
They’ll combine their two mindsets into pouring great pints.
“Our focus for the biz is really just bringing beers to the market that have amazing taste,” Ted Slesinski says.
