ABV is our weekly series that highlights a different beer from a local Pittsburgh brewery every week. Check out our past picks here.
With many folks working from home, avoiding crowds and practicing self-distancing techniques over these next few weeks, we figured we’d share a little (digital) pro tip.
Since we’re currently not visiting our favorite taprooms (or craft beer bars) IRL, here’s where you can still get the latest in Pittsburgh-related craft beer news.
Whether you’re into can releases, beer festivals, historical thought pieces, new up-and-coming breweries or even just good ole beer gossip.
Below is a list of whom we follow on the interwebs for the scoop on Pittsburgh beer.
As always – if we left out someone worth mentioning, drop us a message. Happy to add them in.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3XGvTVhNn6/
ABV, volume LIX
Pittsburgh Journalists & Media Organizations
Bob Batz Jr // Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Bob Batz Jr has been at the forefront of food and beverage journalism at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for several years. We especially appreciate his thoughtful, informative beer coverage and we love following him on Twitter.
Follow: Bob Batz Jr Twitter
That feeling when you’re almost out of beer so you crack open the beer you don’t really like that’s — oh — three months past its shelf life and yet … not bad and better than no beer at all.
— Bob Batz Jr. (@bobbatzjr) February 28, 2020
Breweries in PA
Breweries in PA is the leading source of craft beer news in a statewide scope. Their Pennsylvania editorial coverage is a steady balance of eastern PA and western PA breweries and their Instagram does a great job of rotating through classic, established entities (Troegs, Yuengling) and newer, trendy spots (Stick City, Yellow Bridge, etc).
Read: Breweries in PA website
Follow: Breweries in PA Instagram
View this post on Instagram
Poured in PA
Poured in PA is an award-winning documentary about Pennsylvania’s craft beer industry.
Documentary Film: Poured in PA website
Follow: Poured in PA Instagram
Day Bracey // Drinking Partners // Pittsburgh Current
Day Bracey is one-half of the Drinking Partners podcast and publishes ‘Day Drinking,’ a weekly beer column in the Pittsburgh Current. He is also a comedian and the co-founder of Fresh Fest Beer Festival.
Read: Pittsburgh Current beer column, “Day Drinking”
Follow: Day Bracey Facebook page
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3b8wkphjnz/
PA Brew Review
PA Brew Review provides resources for folks looking to visit Pennsylvania breweries, including maps and events lists.
Follow: PA Brew Review Instagram
Black Brew Culture
Black Brew Culture’s mission is to elevate the roles and visibility of people of color in the craft beer community. They sell apparel / merchandise, create content and have a hand in the annual Fresh Fest Beer Festival.
Follow: Black Brew Culture Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4BW7z2lJTp/
Breaking Brews
Breaking Brews provides craft beer industry news, advocacy and education. They produce a podcast as well as offer brand management services for folks in the beer industry.
Full Archive: Breaking Brews podcast
Hop Culture magazine
Hop Culture was started locally by Kenny Gould – a Pittsburgh native – and focuses on celebrating the nationwide craft beer community through content and events. Although HC carries a wide scope, their roots are here and the editorial coverage has semi-regular Pittsburgh shoutouts.
Read: Hop Culture website
Follow: Hop Culture Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9XOkoQpxnB/
Can Releases & Timely Updates
Cans PGH
About a year ago, we began following Cans PGH. His frequent, timely updates are focused on which breweries are selling cans and when they are available for sale. He doesn’t mess around and gets straight to the point. Super high utility content.
Follow: Cans Pittsburgh Instagram
Follow: Cans Pittsburgh Twitter
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8mpMNJBO8K/
Pittsburgh Facebook Groups for Beer Enthusiasts
Fueled By Hops
Fueled By Hops is a passionate and positivity-focused online craft beer community with a podcast and web content that highlights beer news and events.
FB Group: Fueled by Hops
Follow: Fueled by Hops Facebook page
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5L_us6lEYF/
Pittsburgh Beer Ladies
Since 2011, Pittsburgh Beer Ladies has functioned as a fun, social club that brings women together to enjoy craft beer.
FB Group: Pittsburgh Beer Ladies
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvkvBtZBeK5/
Pittsburgh Craft Beer
Pittsburgh Craft Beer’s online group (Facebook) is a mix of both beer industry and consumers all focused on celebrating Pittsburgh-based craft beer.
FB Group: Pittsburgh Craft Beer
Pittsburgh Craft Beer Society
Similar to Pittsburgh Craft Beer, the PCB Society is an online community that elevates and comes together around Pittsburgh (and regional) craft beer.
FB Group: Pittsburgh Craft Beer Society
Follow: Pittsburgh Craft Beer Society Instagram
Pittsburgh Beer Industry Professionals, Brewers, Taproom Managers
Brewers of PA
Brewers of PA is the official state brewing guild of Pennsylvania and exists to promote Pennsylvania-based breweries. Very industry-focused.
Follow: Brewers of PA Twitter
Andy Kwiatkowski // Hitchhiker Brewing
Andy Kwiatkowski is director of brewing operations at Hitchhiker and offers candid insights and thoughtful opinions on everything from the state of local beer to, well, just about anything.
Follow: Jagoff Brewer Twitter
At a beer event in Cincinnati screaming Let’s Go Pitt during Sweet Caroline. I am getting heckled, booed at, and reminded of 2009. #H2P
— jagoffbrewer (@jagoffbrewer) February 29, 2020
Malcolm Frazer // Fat Head’s Brewery
Malcolm Frazer of Fat Head’s Brewery is connected to the Brülosophy podcast, which is an immensely helpful resource for folks in the homebrewing community.
Follow: Brülosophy Facebook page
Mikey Orellano // YeastyTaughtMe
Many folks may remember Mikey Orellano from Bierport (or Hitchhiker where he is a taproom manager), but his beer-focused Instagram offers insights and glimpses of rare beers that aren’t often found in the Pittsburgh area. He’s super friendly, always willing to share beer knowledge and very well-traveled.
Follow: YeastyTaughtMe Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByVWdG1hLi1/
Scott Smith // East End Brewing
In 2004, when Scott Smith launched East End Brewing, it was one of only a handful of microbreweries in the Pittsburgh area (alongside Penn Brewery and Church Brew Works). Today, after 16 years of continuous operation, Smith is credited with guiding, advising and inspiring many of the (younger) breweries here in Pittsburgh. He is a wealth of knowledge and an advocate for the local beer community.
Follow: East End Brewing Twitter
Follow: East End Brewing on Facebook
Meg Seastedt // North Country Brewing
Meg is an experienced beer professional and brewer at North Country Brewing. She previously brewed at Rock Bottom (in Homestead) and has held roles within Pink Boots Society as well. She is a strong advocate for the advancement of women in the beer industry. Most recently, she was named to the Board of Directors at Brewers of PA.
Follow: Meg Seastedt Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3iklTjhaZe/
Adam Boura // Four Points
Adam is the head brewer at Four Points in Charleroi. He often shares hourly updates and candid takes during his (commercial) brew days from the brewery. Worth following his streams of consciousness via Twitter.
Follow: Adam Boura Twitter
Well, got shipping confirmation on the hops. We are on for the next few beers.
— Adam db Oura (@adamdboura) March 14, 2020
Brian Reed // Master Cicerone
Brian Reed is a Pittsburgh-based Master Cicerone. For folks unfamiliar, a Cicerone is an industry-certified professional beer server. Where “sommelier” indicates proficiency in selecting and serving fine wine, a Cicerone certification is the mark of professional beer sales and service. Also, I mistakenly left Brian off my original roundup (my apologies).
Follow: Brian is Beering Twitter
Cheers to 40 years @SierraNevada pic.twitter.com/wPCdqPCrLz
— Brian Reed (@BrianIsBeering) January 25, 2020
Pittsburgh Beer Historians
Ed Vidunas // Pittsburgh Brewers
The original Pittsburgh beer enthusiast, Ed’s website is a thorough repository of every brewery in Pittsburgh, past and present. He is a lifelong Southside resident and an avid storyteller.
Read: Pittsburgh Brewers website
Follow: Ed Vidunas Twitter
Did you know that Pennsylvania has a Lumber Museum? Who wood of thought? No, I'm not drinking now. But jut you wait.
— Ed Vidunas (@PGHPUBS) March 17, 2020
Hart Johnson
Hart is the bar manager at Piper’s Pub in Southside. He’s a passionate advocate for local craft beer and has been involved in the beer community for several years.
Follow: Moar Hops Twitter
Old Golden Hen cask, last one sold in 3 days, get some pic.twitter.com/fqCu7vclEI
— I ♥️ Johnson (@moarhops) March 7, 2020
Professional Organizations & Homebrew Groups
Pink Boots Society
Pink Boots Society is a nationwide nonprofit organization (with local and regional chapters) that elevates the role of women in the professional beer industry through education and networking.
National Organization: Pink Boots Society
Pittsburgh Chapter: Pink Boots – Pittsburgh Chapter Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9ejXn-BDPE/
PGH Brewers Guild
The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild is a collaborative, local beer industry group with state funding allocated to elevate Pennsylvania-wide beer tourism through programming, events and the reinstatement of Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week.
Read: Pittsburgh Brewers Guild website
Follow: Pittsburgh Brewers Guild Facebook page
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9Crk60heT9/
Three Rivers Alliance of Serious Homebrewers
A membership-based group of southwestern Pennsylvania homebrewers, TRASH has a deep-seated focus on the education and development of homebrewing.
TRASH: TRASH website
Facebook Group: TRASH Public FB Group
Three Rivers Underground Brewers
T.R.U.B. is a lively, dedicated Pittsburgh-area homebrewing club with an annual event: ‘Brewing Up A Cure’
Follow: T.R.U.B. website
Facebook Group: T.R.U.B. Facebook Group
Stewards of Beer
Stewards of Beer is a Pittsburgh-based beer promotion and marketing company that facilitates regular tastings and educational meetups.
Website: Stewards of Beer
Follow: Stewards of Beer Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4fJKuUBVdJ/
Honorable Mention
Dennis The Beer Guy // First Sip Brew Box
Dennis is a military veteran and enthusiastic optimist around all things Pittsburgh craft beer. He and his wife run First Sip Brew Box, a subscription service. His company also creates content that is focused on elevating and sharing the stories of western PA brewers.
Follow: First Sip Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8d5qLrp46q/
Header Photo: Scott Smith of East End Brewing. Photo by Cory Morton.
