Drink Up! Let’s Look at the Best Breweries in Pittsburgh

Breweries, the places where knowledgeable workers and brewmasters come together to make and sell beer- (and occasionally other drinks too). The act of brewing has been around since ancient Mesopotamia and although it’s gone through many changes over the years, the sense of hard work and community a brewery emulates still shines through. Going to a brewery with friends and family is fun, and we thought we’d highlight some of the best breweries in Pittsburgh in case you’re looking to take a few tours while you’re in town. We’ve taken a look at the Beer Gardens in Pittsburgh and Wine Bars in Pittsburgh in the past so it’s only appropriate that we now pivot to breweries proper.

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1. Trace Brewing

Get a taste of their famed Kellerbier and take a sneak peek of their food trucks!

📍 4312 Main St | Pittsburgh | tracebloomfield.com

Trace Brewing is one of the most welcoming breweries, not just in Pittsburgh, but in the country. They take pride in their inclusivity and community-events like Trivia Night x Taco Night to make it so their space is safe for all who want to sit back, relax, and partake in a drink or two. 

If you’re looking to try their best, their “Kellerbier (5.2%) is our year-round, house lager. – which is unfiltered German pale lager brewed with Spalter Select and Tettnanger hops.” They also have collaborated with others in the past to spread their wings and offer more flavors of beer to the public. They also provide cocktail, cider, wine, and non-alcoholic options for patrons. And if you’re hungry there are varying Food Trucks that park outside Trace weekly, so you can fill up on good munchies as you soak up all that delicious hops.

“Trace brewery is a welcoming place for everyone to grab a drink. The patio is awesome when the weather is nice. They also serve coffee during the mornings, if you need a morning pick me up.” -Yelp Review

2. Southern Tier Brewery Pittsburgh

A rotating list of brews for you and yours to try while chowing down on tasty food!

📍 316 N Shore Dr | Pittsburgh | pittsburgh.stbcbeer.com

With over 30 taps available to thirsty customers, Southern Tier Brewery Pittsburgh is the best place for lovers of beer and cider because they have a little something for everyone. Like more fruity notes in your beer? Try their Victory Brewing Berry Monkey IPA. Or if you’re more of a savory guy, one that likes deeper, darker flavors you might enjoy their PGH Brew'd: Brewtality Coffee Porter. And they don’t just have drinks, no Southern Tier Brewery has food that pairs perfectly with your glass. Share the Buffalo Wings, Brisket Meatballs, or Loaded Fries. Feeling more ravenous? Try their Big Ol’ Pastrami Sandwich and Steel City Burger for a taste of true Pittsburgh.

“super fun vibe with great selection of beers and ciders. I love the outdoor area and it's a very fun place to come with friends before or after a game. The food is pretty standard bar food but pretty good” -Yelp Review

3. East End Brewing Company

When the weather’s right, drink and eat in-house pizza on the patio!

📍 147 Julius St | Pittsburgh | eastendbrewing.com

East End Brewing Company just celebrated their 20th anniversary last year and they are looking into the next twenty years with the same enthusiasm they’ve been keeping since the beginning. They are a self-described “brewpub, taproom, seasonal pop-up garden, distributing brewery, and pizza kitchen.” And doesn’t that just intrigue you? So many branches on one tree, the tree being of course, their cozy buildings in their two locations: Larimer and Mount Lebanon.

We all know how Pittsburgh weather is, which is why their New England style Double IPA “Caution Slippy” is the perfect drinking companion to celebrate the winter months in the Burgh. And if you want a taste of what makes this place special, try their 20th Anniversary Beer that’s described by them as a “Doppelbock with the hop profile of our Big Hop beer.”

“Pizza is always good. Something about their pizza makes it really special, I love it.

The beer is good as well with a nice selection.

The employees are very friendly too.” -Yelp Review

4. Eleventh Hour Brewing Co.

Enjoy the taste of quality at this brewery in Pittsburgh!

📍 3711 Charlotte St | Pittsburgh | 11thhourbrews.com

Eleventh Hour Brewing Co. wants to make it their mission to deliver the best brewed drinks using the best quality ingredients. Sourcing the highest-quality ingredients from the “Pacific Northwest, Australasia and Europe, plus grain from the US midwest and Western Europe” really makes the flavors in each drink stand out. You will be able to taste the hidden notes of these ingredients thanks to the way they were made and obtained. You can visit the Tap Room to try a number of drinks made by the company and partner brews alike. Plus they have rotating Food Trucks for those extra-hungry customers.

“Great place to grab a beer and catch up with friends. They have an indoor and outdoor space! Allow dogs outside. There is often a food truck or you can bring outside food in. This place is in the heart of lower Lawrenceville.” -Yelp Review

5. Hop Farm Brewing Company

“Pittsburgh’s Original Urban Farmhouse Brewery and Brew Pub.”

📍 5601 Butler St | Pittsburgh | hopfarmbrewingco.com

Hop Farm Brewing Company is focused on “sustainability and local sourcing” which means that some of the flavors you’ll taste in their beers and food is from local ingredients right in the burgh! They have 14 rotating taps that are all made in house which means you’ll get your drinks from them directly. Dig into their Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich, Hot Farm Fires, or the Breaded Buffalo Cauliflower if you’re hungry. 

But what really makes Hop Farm special is the events they put on. Music Thursdays are Thursdays where local musicians come in and show their stuff. trivia night w. LIZQ is on every other Monday, and then there are other sporadic events held throughout the year which are always super fun. 

“We visited Hop Farm while we waited for dinner reservations down the street. We originally sat at the bar before we realized there is a hug warehouse room in the back! Staff was super friendly and the beer was good!” -Yelp Review

6. Helltown Brewing - Strip District

High-quality brews all made at five different locations all located in Pittsburgh!

📍 1700 Penn Ave | Pittsburgh | helltownbrewing.com

Here’s what you need to know about Helltown Brewing:

• Helltown Brewing in the Strip District effortlessly blends both traditional and modern brewing techniques to create their high-quality beers. 
• Those practices mixed with quality hops and malts make their brewery stand out as one of the best breweries in Pittsburgh.

And these methods have obviously translated to the Pittsburgh audience because Helltown has not just one, but five taprooms in the city where you can go see them in action along with trying one of their drinks. Enjoy their Lilith’s Cherriot Cherry Tart Ale or if you don’t drink but still love that “hops” taste you can try their very own Non-Alcoholic Hop Water which is found nationwide!

“I went with a large group and there was plenty of space for us to mix and mingle. The bar tenders were friendly. I enjoyed my season mule. I didn't eat any food there as it was snacks like chips and pretzels.” -Yelp Review

7. Golden Age Beer Company

A taproom and beer garden that’s just waiting to be discovered by you!

📍 337 E 8th Ave | Homestead | goldenagebeer.com

Cold and crisp are two words to describe a delicious beer and at Golden Age Beer Company they are all about “making clean and crisp lagers that are eminently drinkable.” So if that tickles your fancy then you’ll quickly fall in love with all of their famed brews. 

Using state of the art equipment, every moment of the brewing process is handled with care and careful attention which means that when you get your draft poured or you crack open your own can, you’ll be able to taste the consideration that was made during the process. Golden Age Beer Company has events held throughout the year celebrating holidays and locals. Plus if you’re hungry you can chow down on some burgers, sandwiches, pizza, salad, and snacks.

“Phone did not eat first here. The wood fired pizza is so delicious. My favorite is the margarita pizza! The crust is crunchy and the pizza isn't floppy. It's cooked just right! The beer here is great and they also have cocktails too” -Yelp Review

8. Two Frays Brewery

A community in a brewery- that’s what makes this place something special!

📍 5113 Penn Ave | Pittsburgh | twofraysbrewery.com

There’s a trend we’ve found amongst most, if not all, breweries and that is: community. They want everyone to feel welcome and included when they are under their roof and Two Frays Brewery takes this sentiment seriously because their mission statement is to create an environment anyone and everyone will feel at home in.

They want to spread kindness and one of the ways they do that is through their brews. Buying from them means buying local, supporting their team, and using some of that money to buy high quality ingredients necessary to make the best drinks possible. 

Two Frays Brewery makes craft beer and although they don’t serve food you can pick up food from a restaurant that’s local to them and bring it to eat there! They even have a list of restaurant recommendations you can get take out from on their website. That means you get their drinks, a delicious meal from a neighborhood restaurant, and Two Frays’ vibes all in one.

“The decor is a vibe, from local art, groovy colors and text, and the beer is incredible. Their outdoor space is super cool, and I imagine beautiful at night with the Edison lights. Can't wait to come back!” -Yelp Review

9. Old Thunder Brewing Company

Come, sit down, and enjoy locally crafted beers and good vibes all around!

📍 340 Freeport Rd | Blawnox | oldthunderbrewing.com

Just like Two Frays, Old Thunder Brewing Company is opening its doors to everyone. They are here to serve their well-crafted brews to all who walk on through. Expect cheerful service and truly amazing beer when you go to their taproom, and with an ever-changing menu you can try out different concoctions at different times of the year which makes things really exciting. Tuesday through Sunday they have different Food Trucks that park outside so you can get something to munch on as you wash it down with IPAs, Pale Ales, or something else. Lots of options to look through which makes all the beer-lovers happy.

“Top 3 Brewery in Allegheny County. Lagers and Ales and glory. Gorgeous space in a repurposed Post Office. Good people and Al way a good time. Food trucks are consistent but you come here for the glorious suds and relaxed and comfy accommodations” -Yelp Review

All of these breweries in Pittsburgh offer up delicious drafts, solid food- (even if it’s not from them directly), and community spaces where you can go be with your favorite people.