13 Awesome Pittsburgh Craft Breweries

1. Brew Gentlemen

512 Braddock Avenue, Braddock, PA 15104

Brew Gentlemen is a small craft brewery and taproom located in the historic steel town of Braddock, PA. After completing a successful Kickstarter, they invested in some stainless steel brewing equipment and renovating an old electrical supply store in Braddock. The creatives at Brew Gentlemen believe in beer as a "medium for flavors, stories, celebrations and things that go beyond what is in the glass."

Drawing inspiration from both the classical brewing and culinary worlds, they brew an ambitious variety of beers focused on balance and complexity. Although they don't offer food, there are food trucks set up outside their bar most days of the week! They are also one of the most award-winning breweries in the region, most recently winning a gold medal for their Muchos Mahalos in the fruit beer category and bronze medal for Garden Party in the vegetable beer category at the 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship.

Pro Tip: Be sure to try Brew Gentleman's flagship American IPA, General Braddock's. It was named one of the 25 best beers of the decade!

2. Church Brew Works

3525 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

The Church Brew Works is a brewpub in Lawrenceville that is located in a restored Roman Catholic church. Formerly St. John the Baptist Church and built in 1902, it was used as a church until 1993 and is on the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation's List of Historic Landmarks. Now, it is frequently listed as one of the best breweries in Pittsburgh featuring award-winning beer, eclectic cuisine, and decadent desserts. Their large capacity makes it perfect for group events, happy hours, and brunch. If you haven't been here, make sure to stop by because, seriously, who doesn't want to drink beer in a church?

3. East End Brewing

147 Julius Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

East End Brewing is Pittsburgh's home for fresh local beer since 2004. A production brewery distributing kegs, cans and big bottles throughout Western Pennsylvania, they also offer pints, tastings, big bottles, growlers and growlers to go.

East End brews about 35 different beers throughout the year including year-round, seasonal, recurring favorites and "downright weird" beers. The best way to experience East End Brewing's offerings is getting your growler fresh-filled at one of their two locations in Pittsburgh for a real taste of the steel city.

4. Velum Fermentation

2120 Jane St, Pittsburgh, PA 15203

It's one thing to say community matters as a business, it's another to live that motto every day. Newly opened in the South Side, Velum Fermentation uses its considerable floorspace to bring locals to the indoor pickleball courts, free yoga, pinball leagues, skate nights, and vendor market events it hosts each month.

This can easily be a spot you hang around all day. Bring the kids to play pinball as you sip their expertly brewed IPAs, lagers and porters. Or just come to play pickleball with friends and have lunch at their permanent on-site food truck, Love, Peace & Grilled Cheese. You'll fall in love with the South Side again in one visit.

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5. Grist House Brewing

10 Sherman Street, Millvale, PA 15209

Grist House Craft Brewery is located in the heart of Millvale, PA, just minutes north of downtown Pittsburgh. Family owned and operated, Grist House strives to produce high quality beer that is delicious and easy to drink. The brewery is loaded with character, from their taproom overlooking the brew system, the all-season deck and spacious outdoor seating area, to their tap handles hand crafted by a local blacksmith.

Gather your friends and family to come enjoy an afternoon together while indulging in some delicious, locally brewed craft beer. Plus, they're dog friendly so you can bring your best friend!

6. Helltown Brewing

1700 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222
13 Henry C Frick Street, Mount Pleasant, PA 15666

You would never suspect that at the end of such a quiet residential street some mischief would be brewing. Helltown Brewing was launched in 2011 in the old mechanic's garage where they are still brewing today. The brewery has an industrial feel to match the usual soundtrack on brew days. While Helltown is a production brewery, they do have a tasting area and outdoor seating for you to enjoy their quality beers.

Helltown uses high-quality grains for all of their beers, and are committed to the community. All spent grain is donated to local farmers, and all of their merchandise is bought from local businesses. They also support a variety of local charities in Mt. Pleasant and Pittsburgh, which is pretty great way to give back! They also have a location right in the heart of the Strip District so you don't have to travel far to find their beers!

Helltown Brewing at their Strip District location

7. Hitchhiker Brewing Company

190 Castle Shannon Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15228
1500 S Canal St #2541, Sharpsburg, PA 15215

Hitchhiker Brewing Co. is a small-batch craft brewery with two locations south and north of Downtown Pittsburgh. The Hitchhiker Brewing Co. brew pub offers a variety of hand-crafted beers that are brewed on-premise. In addition to their beer, they offer Hitchhiker Ginger Ale & Root Beer, local wines, and a rotating selection of Pennsylvania-crafted ciders. Be sure to look at their events calendar in advance for trivia nights, live music and a full food truck schedule.

8. Hop Farm Brewing Company

5601 Butler Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Hop Farm Brewing Company is a woman-owned, family-run craft brewery in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Their focus is on sustainability and local sourcing while producing their flagship IPA, some Belgian styles, sour beers and a Nut Brown Ale year round. Hop Farm Brewing Company's tap list is ever changing and growing based on the seasons and is dedicated to the responsible use of natural resources, from production to packaging and everything in between.

They grow their own organic hops by hand and add them to every batch of beer they brew. Finally, try a taste their pub menu with house made soups, salads, flatbread pizzas, locally crafted sausage, and more.

9. Penn Brewery

800 Vinial Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Penn Brewery began brewing craft beer back in 1986, making them one of the earliest pioneers in the American craft beer movement. They started out brewing classic lagers and German beer styles, and expanded their lineup to include IPAs and other contemporary styles like chocolate and pumpkin beers. Penn brews all of their beers by hand with top-tier barley and hops.

As winners of nineteen Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup medals, you know their beer is good. Penn Brewery's restaurant serves "ethnic-Pittsburgh" fare made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients including wurst, schnitzel, pierogi, and goulash alongside contemporary Pittsburgh favorites, like the french fry salad, flatbreads, and sandwiches. Penn is open Wednesdays-Sundays, and during the warmer months be sure to visit their lovely cobblestone biergarten.

10. Trace Brewing

4312 Main Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Located in the Bloomfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Trace brewing caters to beer experts and casual visitors. Surround yourself with brick walls, playful decor, neon lights and industrial-sized metal tanks. Regarded as a community spot, this brewery has events, coffee, vocational programs and local art.

Attend an event at Trace Brewing and browse through a vast selection of beers, ranging from hazy IPAs to robust lagers. Whether you're seeking a familiar brew or looking to discover your new favorite drink, Trace Brewing offers a variety of drinks for all visitors.

Trace Brewing

11. Dancing Gnome Brewery

1025 Main Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15215

Make your way to industrial chic interiors and a lively atmosphere. Operating since 2016, Dancing Gnome Beer cultivates a community of local beer lovers with refreshing hop-imbued IPAs and hazy pale ales. Explore a variety of hop forward types, traditionally made brews from around the world, and more.

Dancing Gnome's journey began with Lustra, an American Pale Ale that's oozing with the sweetness of stick oils and hinting to notes of citrusy fruit. Visitors will enjoy sipping on beer in a vast area that shows a part of Dancing Gnome's production space.

Dancing Gnome. Photo by: Julie Kahlbaugh

12. Two Frays Brewery

5113 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224

Based in Pittsburgh's Garfield neighborhood, Two Frays Brewery offer an assortment of drinks and snacks for all palettes, ranging from craft beer and arsenal cider to hard seltzers and ice cream. This brewery cultivates craft beers in small groups for optimal freshness and taste.

Outdoor seating unveils a vibrant scene of Pittsburgh with cozy furniture. Bring you furry companions while exploring Two Frays Brewery. This brewery operates a detailed brewing process, involving long fermentation periods, English yeast, and filtered mineral water. Tours are available with a behind-the-scenes look at some of the beer-making processes.

Two Frays. Photo Credit: @Foodietaurus on Instagram

13. Mindful Brewing Company

3759 Library Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15234

Dive into refreshing tastes and flavorful kicks choosing from dozens of beers on tap. Based in the Castle Shannon neighborhood, Mindful Brewing Company features different types of beer and meals which are locally sourced. Enjoy a house made brew in a spacious setting with modern decor. Explore different hints and notes from a variety of brews, ranging from fruity and spicy to sour and strong.