Plowing New Turf in Pittsburgh

Back to the Steel City. Time for more meetings, and more opportunities to try some new beer. I was traveling with my friend Manny and I wanted to mix it up with my favorite places and with some new ones. So we got in around rush hour, we headed over to the Sharpedge Creekhouse for some dinner and beer. Sharpedge continues to offer a great selection of beer with high quality food. I chose a Duck-Rabbit Baltic Porter on draft, one of DRAFT magazine’s top 25 beers of 2009, and discovered why it was it was so highly rated. The porter was deep and dark, with hints of coffee and fruit, and simply coated your mouth. I had the special of Garlic and Pepper mussels and was in heaven. The cracked black pepper coated the mussel meat, creating a wonderful dining experience. We finished and went over to the Hofbrauhaus (http://www.hofbrauhauspittsburgh.com/) on South Side. I was fortunate to find out this was the last day for their January specialty beer, a bock beer named Bergbock, which I was able to try. We also found out that they would be tapping the February special the following night, and with the promise of some authentic German food and a new beer, Manny and I agreed to return.

The next night Manny and I headed back to the Hofbrauhaus, got a good table to enjoy the show (a child yodeler), and then ordered our food. I got the sauerbraten with a side of fried pickles (yum!), while Manny got the jagerschnitzel. Both meals were great. We had to wait until 7PM for the new beer to be tapped. They rolled out the new keg with pomp and circumstance. Then the patrons line up for a glass of free beer (I simply asked the waitress to bring me over a ½ litre of the Adulterator when she got the chance). Get in line early though since only about the first 70 guests got a glass (sorry Manny). The Adulterator was a fine example of a double bock, and was worth waiting for. We then headed over to Fathead’s, where I got to try the Hazelnut Pillage Porter, which was more like a coffee than a beer. I also got a few beers to go (i.e., Rockies Killer Penguin, Brewdog Paradox Springbank, etc.).

Last day. We finished shortly afternoon and we went out for lunch. We had some time to kill before our flight so we headed over to a new brewpub in Monroeville, the Rivertowne Pour House (http://www.myrivertowne.com/). I started out with their Pale Ale on cask, and was pleasantly surprised. It was served perfectly, very crisp with the right amount of bitterness. They had some 10 other beers on tap, so I tried the Mango Madness, a hefe-weizen made with mango, and that was great. The place served food and I decided that I’ll need to come back sometime later this year. Off to the airport, which is on the other side of the city. You have to leave early to beat the traffic, but then you are stuck waiting at the airport. However, DRAFT magazine recommended trying Bocktown Beer and Grill (http://www.bocktown.com/). What a great bar! Top notch drafts, beer events, their own combinations as well as a cooler of bottles (save room in those suitcases). I tried a few samples from 21st Amendment (having spent some time in NH, I loved their Brew Free or Die!) and then went for their John Smith Infusion. These are their own combinations, this one being Brooklyn Manhattan Project with an infusion of bourbon soaked cherries. It was delicious, not over powering with either the cherry or bourbon flavors, but both definitely present and adding to the brew.

It was a great trip. Two old favorites and three new ones. I’ll need to stay in Pittsburgh longer to give each beer bar the time that they deserve. - 5390

"All beer is good! But some beer is better." – Sign at the Rivertowne Pour House