Guide to Irish-style beers from Pittsburgh Breweries

ABV is our weekly series that highlights a different beer from a local Pittsburgh brewery every week. Check out our past picks here. 

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There’s nothing wrong with enjoying a (non-local) Guinness during your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Heck, I’ll probably have a couple myself.

That being said, Very Local takes pride in guiding you – our dear readers – toward a local option, when it makes sense.

ABV, volume LVIII

Irish-style beers at Pittsburgh breweries

War Streets Brewery // Northside

Beer Name #1 // Style // ABV: Sampsonia Smoked Porter // Irish-style Porter // 5.8% ABV

Beer Name #2 // Style // ABV: Sherman Ave Stout // Dark Irish Stout // 5.8% ABV

Know Before You Go: When it comes to breweries and taprooms with food, War Streets Brewery continues to be very underrated. You should definitely plan to stick around for a bite to eat while here. War Streets Brewery shares an address with Bier’s Pub; their lunch/brunch/dinner menus are all excellent (we highly recommend the burger).

Acclimation Brewing // Verona

Beer Name // Style // ABV: Illusional Optics // Irish Cream Coffee Blonde // 5.6% ABV

Hitchhiker Brewing // Sharpsburg and Mt Lebanon

Beer Name // Style // ABV: 16-oz Trip To Ireland // Irish Dry Stout // 4.9% ABV

Know Before You Go: Hitchhiker plans to release 16-oz Trip To Ireland at both of their Pittsburgh taprooms on Wed, March 11. Described as “Ireland in a glass” the Irish Dry Stout was hopped using East Kent Goldings and will be available in both draft and cans.

Inner Groove Brewing // Verona

Beer Name // Style // ABV: Tin Roof // Irish Red Ale // 5.4% ABV

Know Before You Go:  Tin Roof carries a lovely “rusty, reddish color” and will be joined by a new release on Saturday – Wicky Wild; a west coast IPA (6.2% ABV) that hits the spot for folks craving something a little more bitter.

Rock Bottom // Homestead

Beer Name // Style // ABV: Incline Red // Irish Red Ale // 5% ABV

Know Before You Go: Rock Bottom has a full-service restaurant on-site. Plan to stay for a hearty bite to complement those beers.

Sly Fox // Downtown

Beer Name #1 // Style // ABV: O’Reilly’s Stout // Irish Dry Stout // 3.6% ABV

Beer Name #2 // Style // ABV: Seamus’ Irish Red Ale // Irish Red Ale // 5.7% ABV

Know Before You Go: Sly Fox’s downtown Pittsburgh taproom is literally adjacent to the iconic Point State Park. First-time guests can expect Sly Fox to provide indoor AND outdoor seating (weather dependent) along with a solid kitchen that fires up food seven days a week. Sly Fox will have two Irish-Style beers available.

Other Pittsburgh Breweries where you may find an Irish ale

Here are a few of the beers that have been offered by local breweries that are not currently available on tap.

• Roundabout Brewery // Lawrenceville – Pumpernickel Porter
• Hop Farm // Lawrenceville – Mrs. Mary Mullens (Irish Dry Stout)
• Eleventh Hour Brewing // Lawrenceville – Brother (Irish Dry Stout)
• East End Brewing // Larimer – Point Breeze North (Irish Dry Stout)
• Southern Tier // North Shore
• Leaning Cask Brewing // Springdale

 

 

 

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Header Photo: Getty Images.

This story was originally published by Aadam Soorma on March 10, 2020.