Yes that’s right – an entire week devoted to celebrating the wonders of craft beer!
A craft brewer is defined as a small, independent, traditional beer maker. Generally a craft brewer produces 6 million barrels of beer per year (or fewer). The majority of craft brewers are not owned by a larger alcoholic beverage industry member and a craft brewer will normally produce malt beers as 50% of its volume.
Craft brewers can additionally be sub-grouped into categories such as nanobreweries, microbrewers, brewpubs, and regional craft breweries.
Regardless of all of the terminology, the craft beer movement has exploded over the last few years – even to the point that many people have taken up the hobby of home brewing. At my current job, we have at least 4 or 5 different guys that are brewing home beers on a regular basis. Every couple of months they’ll bring in a few bottles on a Friday afternoon and let us all sample their handy work.
Locally there are many bars that server craft beers and microbrews. A favorite place of mine to find new beers is D’s Dogs located in Regent Square and also in Monroeville. The House of 1000 Beers in New Ken is also a great spot and another personal favorite.
Celebrating Craft Beers in Pittsburgh
My girlfriend sent me an email the other day about an event which is going on Friday night at D’s in Monroeville. As a part of the Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week, Founders Brewing will be holding a free beer tasting between 6pm and 8pm. (The place also has great food and plenty of TV’s, so you can check out the Pen’s game while you sample some great beers.)
In addition to D’s, there will be events going on throughout Pittsburgh from Apr 20th to Apr 28th – including many more free tastings, as well as dinner / beer pairings.
The events kick off Friday morning at 7am with a beer and breakfast event at Jack’s in the Southside, which is being hosted by Penn Brewery. Check out the calendar of events for more details.
Most areas of the city seem to be represented and all types of beers are available to please just about any taste. I thought about going through the calendar of events and trying to pick out some highlights, but there are literally so many placing participating and so many great events, that it would take me all night to go through the entire list. Your best bet is to take it day by day and beer by beer.
So if you are a fan of craft beer or you want to expand your beer drinking pallet beyond Miller Lite and Coors Lite, then head out this weekend and next week and support the first annual Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week.
Mike Martin is the creator of the Stuck in Pittsburgh blog. In his spare time he enjoys creating websites, playing baseball, and drinking beer.
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[...] Craft Beer Week Read my post for more information about this week long celebration that starts on 4-20-12. Mike MartinMike Martin is the creator of the Stuck in Pittsburgh blog. In [...]