Pittsburgh Beer Buying Guide: Where, What, And How

If you're looking to buy beer in Pittsburgh, you might be in for a surprise. Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the US, and this is reflected in the limited options for buying beer. You won't find beer in convenience stores or fine wine and liquor stores, and you can't buy a six-pack in a corner store. So, where can you buy beer? One option is to head to a beer distributor, such as Beer Towne, which offers a wide range of craft and local beers. You can also find beer in some grocery stores, like Giant Eagle Market District, which has a good selection of local and craft bottles, as well as beer on tap and growlers. If you're looking for a mix-and-match six-pack, try D's Six Pax & Dogz in Regent Square or Carson Street Deli & Craft Beer Bar, which has 20 taps and over 300 bottles. For a wider selection and knowledgeable staff, try a bottle shop like 99 Bottles, which stocks over 500 different types of beer.

Where to buy beer in Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the United States, with the government maintaining a monopoly over the sale of wine and spirits. This can make buying beer in Pittsburgh a little confusing for newcomers.

Beer Distributors

Beer distributors are the best option if you want choice or volume. Recommended beer distributors in Pittsburgh include Save-mor in Greenfield, McBrooms in Regent Square, and Buddy's Brews on Carson. Pistella Beer on Penn is also a good option, with a good selection and better prices.

Grocery Stores

Some grocery stores in Pittsburgh sell beer. The Giant Eagle Market District store in Waterworks has an impressive selection of local and craft bottles, many available cold, and 18 taps for draft beers and ciders. The Whole Foods Market in Wexford also sells beer, as do many Wegmans (although you'll have to go to Erie to find one in Western Pennsylvania).

Bars and Bottle Shops

You can also buy beer from bars and bottle shops. Atlas Bottle Works in Lawrenceville, House of 1000 Beers in New Kensington, D's Six Pax & Dogz in Regent Square, and Caliente Pizza & Draft House in Bloomfield and Allison Park are recommended.

Convenience and Gas Stations

Some convenience and gas stations in Pittsburgh sell beer. Sheetz and GetGo stores sell six-packs and individuals, and some also sell wine.

Beer distributors vs. retailers

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the US. The state has a monopoly over the sale of wine and spirits, and beer is also tightly regulated. This means that buying beer in Pittsburgh is not as simple as just popping to your nearest store.

Beer Distributors

Beer distributors are the best option if you want to buy in bulk. Distributors tend to be large stores with a wide selection of beers, including craft, domestic, and imported. Some distributors, like Pistella Beer, also sell singles, so you can try a beer without committing to a six-pack. Distributors are also a good choice if you're looking for a bargain. Pistella Beer, for example, offers promotions and discounts to keep costs down.

Retailers

If you're looking for something smaller than a case, you can buy beer from some grocery stores, including Giant Eagle, Whole Foods, and Wegmans. These stores also offer a good selection of local and craft beers, and some even have taps for draft beers and ciders. However, you'll get a better price per bottle if you buy a full case from a distributor.

Some bars and bottle shops, like Atlas Bottle Works and House of 1000 Beers, also sell six-packs, but the prices are often higher than at grocery stores. However, these shops usually have a wider selection and more knowledgeable staff.

Online

If you can't find what you're looking for in stores, you can order online from the Fine Wine and Good Spirits website. They stock hundreds of bottles that are only available online, and you can also special order through third-party suppliers. However, there are shipping fees and wait times associated with online orders.

Beer prices in Pittsburgh

Some grocery stores in Pittsburgh sell beer, and the prices are generally quite reasonable. For example, the Giant Eagle store in the Waterworks area offers a good selection of local and craft beers, many of which are available cold, and also has 18 taps for draft beers and ciders. Some Giant Eagle stores, including the Waterworks location, offer a happy hour discount on pints and growler fills, which means you can often get a growler of craft beer for less than $10.

If you're looking for a better deal, you can get a full case of beer from a distributor at a lower price per bottle. Pistella Beer on Penn is recommended by locals for its good prices and selection. The Save-Mor store on Brownshill Road is also recommended for its good prices.

For those who want to try a variety of beers, Giant Eagle offers a deal where you can build your own six-pack for $13, regardless of the brews you choose. Bars and bottle shops like Atlas Bottle Works in Lawrenceville, House of 1000 Beers in New Kensington, D's Six Pax & Dogz in Regent Square, and Caliente Pizza & Draft House in Bloomfield and Allison Park also offer the option to build your own six-pack, although prices may be a bit higher.

Beer delivery in Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania has some of the strictest alcohol laws in the US, and this includes the sale of beer. However, there are several options for beer delivery in Pittsburgh.

Beer Delivery Services

There are dedicated beer delivery services in Pittsburgh, such as Brentwood Beer and Beverages2U. These services offer a wide range of beer styles, including local options, and often have minimum order values for free delivery.

Grocery Delivery Services

Grocery delivery services like Instacart can also be used to order beer for delivery in Pittsburgh. This service connects you with a personal shopper who will buy and deliver beer to your door, often on the same day.

Restaurants and Pizza Places

Some restaurants and pizza places in Pittsburgh have the proper license to deliver up to two six-packs of beer with a meal. Caliente Pizza & Draft House, with locations in Bloomfield and Allison Park, is one such option.

Other Options

Some users on Reddit have suggested that certain apps, like GoPuff, can be used to order beer for delivery in Pittsburgh. Additionally, some beer distributors, like Roadside Beer Distribution in Etna, offer delivery services, although they may be more expensive.

It is worth noting that due to Pennsylvania's alcohol laws, same-day beer delivery may not always be possible, and some services may require a minimum order value or charge a delivery fee.

Beer types and brands in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is home to a plethora of breweries, each with its own unique offerings and specialities. Here is an overview of some of the notable beer types and brands available in the city:

Dancing Gnome Brewery

Dancing Gnome is a popular choice for beer enthusiasts in Pittsburgh, known for their focus on "hop-forward styles". They offer a variety of hop-forward types, including IPAs and DIPAs, as well as less hop-intensive styles like Mexican lagers and stouts. Their first beer, Lustra, an American Pale Ale brewed with Citra and Amarillo hops, is particularly well-regarded. Dancing Gnome has both indoor and outdoor seating areas, and often features food trucks, including the local favourite, Blue Sparrow.

Brew Gentlemen

Brew Gentlemen is a small craft brewery and taproom located in the historic steel town of Braddock, PA. They offer an ambitious variety of beers focused on balance and complexity, drawing inspiration from both classical brewing and culinary worlds. Their flagship American IPA, General Braddock's, is a must-try and was named one of the 25 best beers of the decade.

Grist House Brewing

Grist House is a family-owned brewery located in the heart of Millvale, just north of downtown Pittsburgh. They strive to produce high-quality, delicious, and easy-to-drink beers. In addition to their taproom, they offer an all-season deck and spacious outdoor seating. Grist House is also dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend along. They are known for their IPAs and stouts, and their Hazedelic Juice Grenade IPA comes highly recommended.

East End Brewing Company

East End Brewing Company is a pioneer in Pittsburgh's craft beer scene, opening as a one-man operation in 2004. They now have two locations, including a brewpub serving Sicilian-style pizza. East End brews about 50 different beers every year, including seasonal specials like the Almost Famous Pickle Beer, as well as unique beers for each of Pittsburgh's 90 neighbourhoods.

Old Thunder Brewing Company

Old Thunder Brewing Company is headed by three lead brewers who previously worked at Brew Gentlemen. They offer a range of beers, with their year-round selections including the False Kingdom IPA and the 340 Lager, a Munich-style Helles. They also have mixed fermentation recipes meant for barrel aging, like their wheat-based Saison Never Sleeps.

Church Brew Works

Housed in a restored Roman Catholic church built in 1902, Church Brew Works is one of the most unique breweries in Pittsburgh. They brew a variety of German-style pilsners and Bavarian dunkels, with their award-winning Pious Monk dunkel being a menu staple. They also offer a rotating selection of sours, IPAs, and lagers.

Trace Brewing

Trace Brewing, which opened in 2020, is committed to holding a vocational program to diversify the brewing industry. They are one of the few breweries in the area with a koelschip, a vessel used in fermented beer, and their foeder-aged beers are highly regarded. Trace Brewing serves as a community space, opening early in the morning and offering excellent coffee. They have a wide variety of beers, from light lagers and IPAs to their "Resurrection Series," which features forgotten beer styles.

11th Hour Brewing Co.

11th Hour Brewing Co. is a kid-friendly brewery located in an old Gas-Lite showroom in Lawrenceville. They offer a range of beers, with pale ales and IPAs as their flagship styles. They also have several sour series and release an annual collection of barrel-aged stouts. Their tropical New Cult is a tasty take on their original hazy IPA recipe.

Hitchhiker Brewing Co.

Hitchhiker Brewing Co. has two locations in Pittsburgh and offers a large selection of beers on tap, from pale ales to more experimental styles. They also offer dessert beers, such as the Peach Cobbler Milkshake IPA, and alcoholic soft serve made from one of their beers.

Burgh'ers Brewing Co.

Burgh'ers Brewing Co. combines two favourites—beer and burgers. They offer excellent beers like the Spatial Frequency cold IPA and the Wainweight cream ale, along with some of the best burgers in town, made with locally-sourced beef. Their adventurous menu includes options like the Mexican War St burger with roasted chilies and the Polish Hill topped with a pierogi.

Other Notable Mentions

There are several other breweries in Pittsburgh that are worth checking out, each with its own unique offerings:

• Velum Fermentation: Known for their community-focused space, featuring indoor pickleball courts, yoga, pinball leagues, and more. They offer expertly brewed IPAs, lagers, and porters, along with a permanent on-site food truck, Love, Peace & Grilled Cheese.
• Hop Farm Brewing Company: A woman-owned, family-run craft brewery focused on sustainability and local sourcing. They grow their own organic hops and offer a range of beers, including their flagship IPA, Belgian styles, sour beers, and a Nut Brown Ale.
• Penn Brewery: One of the earliest pioneers in the American craft beer movement, Penn Brewery offers a range of classic lagers, German beer styles, IPAs, and contemporary styles like chocolate and pumpkin beers. Their restaurant serves a unique blend of "ethnic-Pittsburgh" fare.
• Two Frays Brewery: Located in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighbourhood, Two Frays offers a range of drinks and snacks, including craft beer, arsenal cider, hard seltzers, and even ice cream. They focus on small-group brewing for optimal freshness and taste.
• Mindful Brewing Company: Located in the Castle Shannon neighbourhood, Mindful Brewing Company offers a spacious setting with modern decor and a variety of beers, from fruity and spicy to sour and strong.

Frequently asked questions