Greetings Great Beer Now fans and followers! This is the sixth and final entry in a multi- part series of blog posts relating to the Great Beer Now Brew + Brew Tour 2018, which took place in the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The tour featured some of the finest brew the city has to offer, whether it was brewed with hops, grain, and yeast or coffee beans. So pour a cup of java and your favorite roasty stout and follow along as I explore the Steel City and its rebirth as a craft beer and coffeehouse mecca. Cheers!
Every craft brewery needs something to set it apart from the competition; a distinguishing characteristic that makes it unique and induces the craft beer faithful to visit. It could be a unique beer, its own longevity, or some other unusual feature that the average brewery does not possess. One brewery that can check off multiple boxes on the above list is Penn Brewery, located at 800 Vinial Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Explore the Caves
Located in the Deutschtown neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Penn Brewery first opened its doors in 1986. The German influence of the area led the founders to create a German- focused brewery, with an emphasis on German style beers. The food served at the on- site restaurant is also German in nature and matches quite nicely with the beer.
Penn Brewery features a large interior and outdoor seating space but most unique of all is the series of caves and tunnels that were constructed more than a century ago, back before the days of refrigeration. These caves are still present and are utilized by Penn Brewery for lagering purposes. The buildings that house Penn Brewery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Penn Brewery prides itself as a bicycle- friendly operation and they even have patching kits and pumps on hand in case your bicycle has a blowout. They will even send you on your biking way with a free water bottle refill, to make sure you stay hydrated on the trek home.
Lagers Rule
Guests at Penn Brewery can expect to find about ten beers on draft when they visit. Here is a summary of the beers I sampled, listed alphabetically by name, followed by the style and my Untappd rating for each, on a 5- point scale:
- Penn Gold, Helles Lager, 3.75
- Penn IPA, American IPA, 4
- Penn Pilsner, Vienna Lager, 3.75
- Tangerine Swirl, Cream Ale, 3.75
Overall average rating: 3.81 out of 5
Penn Brewery focuses more on lagers, but there are ales present on the taps and I made sure to try two of them when I was here. Penn IPA was my favorite overall, but I’m probably in the minority with my preference, as I would bet that most people who visit here will fall in love with the Penn Gold or Penn Pilsner.
Long Live Penn Brewery
Penn Brewery is a most unique brewing operation. Founded all the way back in 1986, it is one of the nation’s oldest craft breweries and it is the largest and oldest brewery in the Pittsburgh area. It’s also one of the few breweries with an actual cave system on site, perfect for storing and lagering beer just like brewers did in days gone by.
I visited Penn Brewery knowing only a little bit about it. I knew the name from my multiple attendances at the Great American Beer Festival and I was already aware of the many medals Penn Brewery had won. With so much critical acclaim, I already knew the beer would be satisfying, but what I did not know was the historical attributes of the brewery, the caves, the majority female ownership, and so many other things that truly make Penn Brewery an institution among craft operations. It’s a large operation, too, brewing thousands of barrels each year.
Taking the Penn Brewery tour is an excellent way to learn more about the brewery and its history. I soaked up as many facts as possible while sipping on a glass of Penn Gold, then made my way back to the restaurant and tasting area for a delicious meal of German food coupled with various Penn Brewing beers. The German influence is strong at Penn Brewery and it is felt, seen, and tasted just about every place you turn. As I sat there in the tasting area, eating and drinking among friends, I couldn’t help but think about all of the history that surrounded me and how special this brewery truly is, on so many levels.
In today’s increasingly competitive craft beer landscape, breweries need something to set themselves apart from others. Penn Brewery distinguishes itself in multiple ways, from the history to the caves to its size and longevity to its many award winning brews. It’s an unforgettable brewery that any fan of craft beer should try to experience, so be sure to pay a visit to Penn Brewery the next time you’re in the Pittsburgh area. And tell them Great Beer Now sent you.
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