For award-winning craft beer, landmark beer festivals, and innovative brews that will take even seasoned craft beer drinkers by surprise, Pittsburgh is the ultimate destination for a beer tasting adventure.
Pittsburgh is located in southwest Pennsylvania and is home to more than 50 craft breweries, continually making “best of” lists as a craft beer destination. It was one of the early pioneers of the American craft beer movement, with Penn Brewery — the oldest and largest craft brewery in Pittsburgh — churning out classic lagers and ales brewed in the tradition of German immigrants. Take a tour of the brewery, sip your way through the tap list, and fill up on German-Pittsburgh fare like pretzel-breaded cod and bratwurst flatbread.
Brew Gentlemen sought out to create soft, balanced beers, and their flagship IPA, General Braddock, exemplifies this goal — no wonder it was named one of the 25 best beers of the decade. While you’re there, taste test other delicious brews, such as the Mexican Coffee oatmeal stout with cinnamon and vanilla, or the White Sky wheat beer made with chai spices.
Grist House Craft Brewery takes pride in pushing brewing boundaries. You never know what you’ll find on tap, whether the Hops of Darkness black IPA or the Kaboom Candy, a fruited sour with blackberry, passion fruit and strawberry. Their 8th Anniversary Reserve Stout was named a 2022 gold medal-winner at the Great American Beer Festival, and the inventive team continually comes out with exciting new creations.
Pittsburgh is known as a melting pot of cultures, flavors, and lifestyles — as you’ll discover within its 90 distinct neighborhoods. A 2021 Forbes article said Pittsburgh is “leading the world in brewery diversity and inclusion,” and it’s easy to see why. Experience art, dance, live music, and exclusive beer collaborations at Barrel & Flow Fest, the first Black brewery festival in the United States, which is consistently named one of the top beer festivals in the country by USA Today 10Best voters. Eight Pittsburgh breweries also have joined the “Black is Beautiful” initiative, raising awareness to the injustices faced by people of color.
Ready to celebrate more unique collaborations and special releases? Attend one of the many craft beer festivals in Pittsburgh, such as Beerfest, Beers of the Burgh Festival, Three Rivers Beer Week, The Steel City Big Pour, and the All Star Craft Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival — among others. Pittsburgh breweries also get in on the fun of other unique festivals and events in the city, such as creating pickle beer for Picklesburgh, an annual celebration of all-things-pickled. And, new in 2023 is CBX, a weeklong festival of events celebrating craft beverage throughout Allegheny County.
To experience some of the best breweries in Pittsburgh, follow the beer trails within the Pittsburgh Brewery Guide, created by the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild, or use the interactive online map to create your own custom brewery trail throughout Allegheny County.
Get more ideas for your next vacation in Pittsburgh with a free visitors guide and start planning your trip at VisitPITTSBURGH.com.