Welcome to Pittsburgh! What do you want to do first? Not sure yet? Well what about plans for tomorrow?
…Well you still have time to decide… Where are you staying? You haven't booked a hotel yet?!?!
Date: Sept. 15-17 & 22-24, 2023 Location: Penn Brewery
Experience Pittsburgh’s authentic Oktoberfest celebration! The festive celebration will take place over two weekends at the brewery’s mid-19th-century building and biergarten. Enjoy classic German style bier, delicious food, traditional Bavarian music and plenty of fun at Pittsburgh’s oldest brewery.
If this sounds like your sort of event, come to the Beers of the Burgh Rocktoberfest in the South Side Works! Old Thunder, Fermata, Levity and Inner Groove will pouring alongside area food trucks and live music. Lederhosen optional.
Date: Oct. 7, 2023 Location: Construction Junction
Cheers to craft brewing and fundraising for a great cause! The Steel City Big Pour is celebrating 15 years with a craft beer event raising funds for Construction Junction, a non-profit warehouse supplying surplus construction materials & appliances at reduced prices.
The day-long event is all-inclusive, featuring samples from more than 20 craft breweries and a meadery with bites from local food vendors. Learn more about the event and purchase your ticket today!
Support Pittsburgh's amazing parks in the beautiful North Park Lodge in this beer festival geared towards the whole family. Basket raffles, a kid's sports camp, beer+spirits+food tastings and more make this the perfect fall festival where all proceeds go to a good cause.
Costumes encouraged. Beers of the Burgh and Brew Gentlemen have teamed up to transform the iconic Carrie Blast Furnaces site into the Scary Furnace. This one night only party features a fall mini beer festival by day that transforms into a dance party by night that celebrates the darkness. Scary Furnace even features guided ghost tours of the haunted property itself.
Date: Feb. 24-25, 2023 Location: David L. Lawrence Convention Center
One of the largest craft beer events in the country, Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest returns to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center with hundreds of craft beer vendors on tap alongside local food trucks and restaurants! Pittsburgh Winter Beerfest is a great winter warm up and helps kick off the packed Pittsburgh beer festival year right.
The sweetest (literally) beer festival in the Burgh is back at Necromancer Brewing when 20+ local and national breweries pair up with Pittsburgh bakeries and dessert makers for one-of-a-kind brews. Tickets include a commemorative tasting glass!
Date: March 25, 2023 Location: East End Brewing Co.
Love barrel-aged beers? Circle this event on your calendar. Good Wood Fest features Pittsburgh's best breweries showing off their barrel-aged stouts, strong ales aged in oak, barleywine aged in a scotch barrel, cider aged in wine barrels and so much more.
Date: April 12-16, 2023 Location: Venues throughout the city
Join the Pittsburgh Brewers Guild for a celebration of all things local craft beer! The week-long festival will include a range of beer-related activities and events. Visit threeriversbeerweek.com for the latest festival news and to sign up for email updates.
Date: June 3, 2023 Location: Carrie Blast Furnaces
Celebrate your love for local beers at the Beers of the Burgh Festival! Enjoy beers from more than 50 local breweries. Taste test ales, ciders, seltzers, mead, lagers and plenty more from brewers unique to the Three Rivers regional area. The event also will feature live music and some of Pittsburgh’s best food trucks including Pittsburgh Smokehouse, Pittsburgh Sandwich Society and Millie’s Homemade Ice Cream.
A portion of all ticket sales will benefit the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation and its mission to promote resource conservation and development. Visit the event website for a full list of participating vendors and to purchase tickets.
Sample more than 150 local and craft brews, as well as new craft wineries and distilleries at one of Pittsburgh's largest craft beer celebrations, held at the always-rockin' Stage AE.
Date: Aug. 12, 2023 Location: The Stacks at Three Crossings
Previously known as Fresh Fest Beer Fest, Barrel & Flow Fest returns for a new year, a new perspective and a new normal. Recognized as the nation’s first Black Beer Festival, and one of the top beer festivals in the country via USA Today’s 10Best List, the celebratory event embraces and uplifts Black artists, musicians, chefs and brewers around the country.
Barrel & Flow Fest will feature exclusive collaborations, live music from DJs and bands and a uniquely curated collection of vendors and opportunities to learn more about brewing. This year’s event also will feature special events throughout the weekend including a Friday Evening Bottle Share and a Sunday Brewer’s Brunch. Check out the event website to purchase festival tickets and to view a full list of Barrels (brewers) and Flow (performers).
Date: Aug. 2023 Location: Pittsburgh Shrine Center Pavilion
Local homebrewers duke it out for the top prize at North Hills Home Brew Fest in Cheswick. Only your vote and tastebuds can help crown the next winner! Who knows? You might just be the first to taste the next great beer that will soon be for sale everywhere in the city.
Voted one of the Top 5 Best Beer Festivals in the world by USA Today, sip on samples of more than 125 craft beer, wine and cocktail options ON THE FIELD during the All Star Craft Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival! Guests will receive unlimited drink samples, as well as free tickets to a Pirates games and a keepsake sampling glass as they walk the bases, play cornhole, take photos in the Pirates dugout and more.
Plus, they can enjoy live music and entertainment, giveaways and more. VIP and Ultra VIP tickets are available and include early admission, custom gifts and exclusive access to lounge areas with premium samples.
Pro Tips
Headed out for a beer-filled day? Be sure to remember these tips to make the most of your festival experience!
Don’t forget to eat Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is never a good idea! Stay hydrated Even though these festivals are taking place in the fall, it can still be hot and humid in Pittsburgh. Hydration can lead to serious health issues, so make sure to drink lots of water throughout the day!
Try something new We all have our go-to drinks and favorite types of beers, but don’t forget to have an open mind while attending these festivals. This is your chance to try all new types of beers. You never know what your next new favorite can be!
Plan a ride home Finding a parking spot can be a challenge, and you certainly shouldn’t plan on driving after a day of drinking. Make sure to have a ride scheduled in advance to get home safely.
Pace yourself and HAVE FUN! Beer festivals are exciting and filled with plenty of diverse beverages to drink. Know your limit, and make sure you pace yourself, in addition to drinking water and eating food, throughout the day. Most importantly, remember to have fun and look out for you and your crew.
