2020: The Year in Pittsburgh Beer
Despite pandemic-related difficulties, Pittsburgh has continued to punch above its weight in craft beer with notable moments and memorable stories.
by Aadam Soorma
December 29, 2020
ABV is our weekly series that highlights a different beer from a local Pittsburgh brewery every week. Check out our past picks here.
For our 2020 grand finale, weāve rounded up some of our favorite stories from the past year about Pittsburgh beer.
Thatās right. Itās an end-of-year recap piece for folks who may have missed some of the notable moments in our local beer scene. From bike quests to virtual beer fests, the pandemic did little to stop Pittsburghās vibrant brewing scene.
What else would you add to the list? What was the best beer you tried this year? What are you looking forward to in 2021? Weād love to hear from you!
Drop me an email: [email protected].
Cheers and thanks for reading this 100th edition of our beer column, ABV.
2020 Pittsburgh Beer in Review
ABV, Volume C
Mike Cottle Rides his Bike to 29 Breweries in 10 Weeks
Our Story: Quarantine Quest: Mike Cottle bikes to every brewery in the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild to show support for local breweries during the pandemic
Follow: Mike Cottle on Instagram
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Several Pittsburgh-Area Breweries Begin Offering Home Delivery
Our Story: Local breweries that are now offering home delivery. Plus, take a listen to our interview with Scott Smith from East End Brewing on how they adapted to the changes in March.
Follow: A great local beer resource, the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild has helpful information available on their Facebook page.
Fresh Fest Beer Festival Goes Digital
Our Story: Fresh Fest goes Digital
Our Podcast: Hear Day Bracey, Fresh Fest co-founder, explain the digital pivot in his own words on Ep 34 of The Slaw
Follow: Fresh Fest on Facebook
Brew Gentlemen Expands Brewing Capacity & Unveils Slim Cans for Distribution
Our Story: Brew Gentlemen kicks off slim cans with āGeneral Braddockās IPAā
Follow: Brew Gentlemen on Instagram
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Trace Brewing Announces a Paid Vocational Program, Aims to Diversify the Beer Industry
Our Story: Trace Brewing opens in Bloomfield
Follow: Trace Brewing on Instagram
Dancing Gnome Collaborates with Iron City to Resurrect the Robin Hood Cream Ale
Our Story: The return of the Robin Hood Cream Ale from Pittsburgh Brewing Company and Dancing Gnome
Follow: Dancing Gnome on Instagram
Virtual Beer Festival āCheers, Yinz!ā Donates 100% of Proceeds Back to Participating Breweries
Story, via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Cheers, Yinz virtual festival
Follow: Fueled By Hops on Instagram
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Pittsburgh-Area Breweries get Creative with Outdoor Seating Options
Story, via Good Food Pittsburgh: Beer Gardens & Outdoor Breweries
Follow: Good Food Pittsburgh on Facebook
Old Thunder Rumbles into Blawnox
Our Story: The final brewery to launch in 2020, Old Thunder Brewing, is now open inside the former Blawnox Post Office
Follow: Old Thunder Brewing on Instagram
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All of the new breweries that opened in Pittsburgh in 2020
Quarantines and shutdowns did little to stop the flow of beer in the āBurgh. Here are 8 new breweries that opened in and around Pittsburgh this year.
Header Photo courtesy of Nicole Dunlap, Tranquil Fern Photography.
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š» Prost! Guide to Oktoberfest beers from Pittsburgh Breweries
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š¾ A guide to dog-friendly breweries in Pittsburgh
Our faithful four-legged friends rode out quarantine nestled next us, from the halcyon days of sourdough starters through the long, dark, interminable cold of Pittsburgh winter. And now that weāre vaccinated, the plan is to leave them, home alone, while we sip IPAs in the sun? Better yet, take Fido along: hereās a list of Pittsburgh breweries with dog-friendly outdoor spaces.
Where to Pick Up locally brewed Dad Beers for Fatherās Day
Just in time for this weekend – we rounded up 15 of our favorite Pittsburgh dad beers you can mix into your plans for celebrating Father’s Day.
UPDATED! Pittsburgh Breweries with outdoor seating for spring
With the weather sort of warming up, well warm enough to start to spend more time outdoors, several local breweries have opened or added outdoor seating so that you can stop by for a socially distant beer and some food.
Guide to Irish-style beers from Pittsburgh Breweries
We rounded up a selection of Irish-Style ales, stouts, and porters from Pittsburgh breweries for St. Patrickās Day or every day.
G&T: East End Brewing’s first hard seltzer is inspired by the classic cocktail
East End Brewing released their first hard seltzer. The G&T Hard Seltzer is inspired by the classic cocktail. Cans are available at the brewery now.
Pittsburgh Beer: 21 Things Weāre Looking Forward to in 2021
It’s a new year and Pittsburgh beer drinkers have lots to look forward to. We narrowed our excitement down to a list of 21 things to expect in 2021.
Guide to non-alcoholic drinks at Pittsburgh Breweries
You can support local breweries during Dry January by getting gift cards, food for takeout or even craft soda. Here’s an updated look at the local options.
All of the new Pittsburgh breweries that opened in 2020
We counted 9 Pittsburgh-area breweries that celebrated grand openings during 2020. Here they are; plus two coming very soon in early 2021.
In the Sticks with Stick City Brewing
Located a stone’s throw into Butler County is Stick City Brewing. We sat down for a Q&A with head brewer Nick Salkeld to gather some tips for first time guests.
š» Prost! Guide to Oktoberfest beers from Pittsburgh Breweries
A look at Oktoberfest beers from Pittsburgh breweries.
š¾ A guide to dog-friendly breweries in Pittsburgh
Our faithful four-legged friends rode out quarantine nestled next us, from the halcyon days of sourdough starters through the long, dark, interminable cold of Pittsburgh winter. And now that weāre vaccinated, the plan is to leave them, home alone, while we sip IPAs in the sun? Better yet, take Fido along: hereās a list of Pittsburgh breweries with dog-friendly outdoor spaces.
Where to Pick Up locally brewed Dad Beers for Fatherās Day
Just in time for this weekend – we rounded up 15 of our favorite Pittsburgh dad beers you can mix into your plans for celebrating Father’s Day.
UPDATED! Pittsburgh Breweries with outdoor seating for spring
With the weather sort of warming up, well warm enough to start to spend more time outdoors, several local breweries have opened or added outdoor seating so that you can stop by for a socially distant beer and some food.