Penn Brewery

On the Pubnetwork™

 This site originated at pubnetwork.com

and the barstool of Ed Vidunas

Revised June 2003

Michael Jackson called it "Spectacular"
Troy Hill Road & Vinial St.
Pittsburgh (North Side), Pa. 15212
Phone: (412) 237-9402 for the bar
Fax: (412) 237-9406

Homepage:  www.pennbrew.com   

Owner: Tom Pastorius

The Penn Brewery is the first brewpub in Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania.
Open Sept. 12, 1989

Do not go across the Veterans Memorial Bridge (I-579) to Rt. 28 because this will not take you to the brewery. Using I-279 is good. Call the bar number for help.

 Synopsis
You will not find a nicer German beer hall outside Bavaria. The restaurant IS a German beer hall. The beer is handcrafted in the most attractive brewing facilities in the country. The brewing vessels where actually made in Germany and put together by German craftsman sent here for that purpose. A large glass wall separates the brew house from the restaurant. The food is excellent. On certain evenings (or if you call to plan ahead) Tom gives a very nice tour of the brewing facilities. If you like brewpubs this is the one to go to first.

 Bar Hours
Monday through Saturday, 11:00 to midnight.
Closed Sunday but they have a Sunday license so they serve on Election Day.
They have been known to open on Sunday when the Steelers play.

 Happy Hour
No happy hour but it is important to note the prices at Penn Brewery are cheaper than the other brewpubs in town.

 Holiday Closing
They are closed the major days.

 Beer, Wines & Spirits
This brewery makes authentic German lager. The flagship brew is Penn Pilsner. Other regulars are Kaiser Pils, Penn Dark, Helles Gold. The copper bar has 4 beers on tap and two "misters" are near.

 Food
Excellent German food and soup.

 Food Hours
They serve during lunch and diner but no big meals between 2:00 PM thru 5:00 PM.

Entertainment
Most evenings you will find a wandering button box player or the Mad Bavarian. Look out if he brings in his HUGE alpine horn. On weekends the Barons or Alpen Glow performs at 7:30 till midnight or so. They really know how to play a polka and many a couple have made their moves across the floor. I have been seen to do the Chicken Dance a number of times, but if you see me let's keep that to ourselves. 

 Festivals
The Penn Brewery is host to the Pennsylvania Microbrewer's Fest every year at the end of May. They have parties for Octoberfest, Mardi Gras and a few others during the year. I enjoy the tapping of the keg at these parties the best. Tom taps a wood keg about 7:00 PM and you never know where the beer is going to go.

 Cigar Smoking
Smoking the stogies at the bar was permitted at one time. It still may be but ask first.  It is not permitted at the tables.

 Cash Problem?
Citizens Bank at 540 E Ohio St., and Sky Bank at 600 E Ohio St., each at the corner of Middle St, has an ATM.  The banks are about a half a mile from the Brewery.

 Parking
The surrounding streets offer a little free parking and the complex has a two-level garage for patron’s use. For the big events the grass lot on Troy Hill is taken over as well. Look for the newspaper ads since the Sarah Heinz House is used for special events also. A shuttle service is provided when this lot is used.

 Legal Notice
My visits may be infrequent and the owners may make changes at any time. In as much as they like to see me never tell me what they are doing. Call them or visit their web-site for the latest scoop. Please update me if you see an error or omission on my part.

Now, back to the Pittsburgh page or my Welcome page.

This page was last edited 06/21/03 10:49 PM