Penn Brewery
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pennsylvania Brewing Company | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Owner(s) | Birchmere Capital LP |
| Year opened | 1986 |
| Active beers | |
| Penn Pilsner | Pilsner |
| Penn Gold | Helles |
| Penn Dark | Dunkel |
| Penn Weizen | Wheat |
| Kaiser Pils | Pils |
| Seasonal beers | |
| Penn Märzen | Märzen |
| Penn Maibock | Maibock |
| Penn Oktoberfest | Märzen |
| St. Nikolaus Bock | Bock |
| PENNdemonium | Maibock |
| Weizenbock | Weizenbock |
Penn Brewery (Pennsylvania Brewing Co.) was founded by Tom and Marybeth Pastorius in 1986.
Prior to 1987, Pennsylvania law prohibited brew-pubs or micro-breweries, requiring beer production to be done at already established breweries. Penn Brewery initially contract-brewed their product at the historic Pittsburgh Brewing Company, producing their flag-ship product, Pennsylvania Pilsner, a full-bodied German-styled beer that strictly respected the Reinheitsgebot, or German Purity Law of 1516. In 1988, brewing of Penn Brewery moved brewing operations to Jones Brewing Company in Smithton, Pennsylvania.
In anticipation to changes in Pennsylvania micro-brewery laws, Tom Pastorius, with technical and financial assistance from the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation, began restoring the the former Eberhardt and Ober Brewery located at 800 Vinial Street in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Three of the original E & O brewery buildings remain, the stock house (c. 1880-84), and office building standing on a side cut into the rock of Troy Hill. Pastorius hired German Brew-master Alex Deml, who oversaw construction of the 20,000 barrel-a-year capacity brewing facility, which included custom built and authentic German imported micro-brewery equipment.
On September 12, 1989, the Allegheny Brewpub opened it's doors, with dignitaries including Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff and Governor Bob Casey tapping the first keg. The Pennsylvania Brewing facility also created a "business incubator" offering low-rent and consultants for start-up companies.
The Allegheny Brewpub offers a wide selection of premises brewed beer and authentic German cuisine as well as entertainment from German-styled bands.
Pastorius’ great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Franz Daniel Pastorius, founded Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1683. In 2003, Wexford, PA based Birchmere Capital LP purchased controlling stake in Penn Brewery. The brewery creates numerous styles of beer year round, as well seasonal brews. The brewery features an adjacent German style restaurant, open Monday to Saturday, 11am until midnight.
