Pittsburgh is located on the western border of Pennsylvania at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio rivers. While it may not be the first place that springs to mind when planning a weekend getaway, there are several of its main attractions within a rideshare. This means it’s simple to create a laid-back route around the local attractions, independent taprooms, and neighborhood venues for a regional brew. Short distances allow more time to explore and not make this weekend an exhausting run from one stop to the next. After spending two days in historic brewery halls, walking along the riverfront, and spending an evening on the North Shore, it is possible to spend not much of the time in transit.

Why Pittsburgh Is a Great Destination for Craft Beer Lovers

The craftsmanning tradition has its origins in Pittsburgh, especially in areas of the city populated by German immigrants, and developed during the 19th and 20th centuries. Historic brewery buildings, the old production facilities, warehouses, and cellars, remind us of the city’s former beer production, which coexisted with houses, workshops, railways, and wholesale businesses. As the modern craft scene has grown, these historic spaces have also become places for a brewery to host events and bring new life to Pittsburgh’s brewing heritage. 

The Pittsburgh Brewers Guild reports there are over 40 craft breweries in Allegheny County alone, and the Brewers Association estimates that 538 craft breweries in Pennsylvania produce approximately $4.8 billion in economic impact each year, placing the Commonwealth second nationally. The elements that make Pittsburgh unique are the intersections of brewing history, industrial architecture, and neighborhood redevelopment. The story is told through multiple districts, allowing the visitor to gain a different perspective of the evolution of the city’s food & drink culture.

Suggested Brewery Route

A weekend brewery trail is best when it doesn’t travel far out of the way by rideshare, but rather sticks to the local area. This one goes from the North Side, through the Strip District and back to the North Shore for the evening, ending close to Rivers Casino. 

There is also a lot of space for visitors to relax and unwind in between the brewery visits, before the nighttime adventures continue. For example, a gambling site is a popular choice as it offers free slot demos to try the games out first and see if a player wants to play for real money or not. But there are some sites that provide enhanced bonuses, game selections, and mobile-friendliness, so check some of that out first.

Cinderlands Warehouse is the newest addition to the Strip District.

Rejuvenate the Strip District, converting old warehouse buildings into restaurants and breweries. The example of the large 1880-brick warehouse, called Cinderlands Warehouse, is topped with a brewery and a beer hall followed by a restaurant. It’s home to a handful of hundred pint-seeking drinkers, and where the vast bulk of Cinderlands’ brew a range that includes hazy IPAs and lagers as well as a rotating line-up of excitement-racked steel tanks happens. The open kitchen serves a seasonal “scratch” menu, while the outdoor patio is ideal for an afternoon walk to Penn Avenue and a beer flight. It’s an easy way to see the neighborhood while enjoying local cuisine and stopping to try out various beers at leisure. 

South Side: Doughnuts on the Go.South and West Side

For the best sense of the connection between brewing and German immigration, head to the North Side, a short trip in a rideshare. Deutschtown and the adjoining streets were part of Allegheny City, a separate city until it was annexed by Pittsburgh in 1907. For anyone planning a Pittsburgh weekend, this historic neighborhood offers a natural stop for exploring the city’s brewing roots. In 2016, Allegheny City Brewing began as a neighborhood tap, offering a changing lineup of “house beers” and a “local-first” vibe.

Beer: North Shore: Southern Tier Brewing

Southern Tier’s Pittsburgh taproom is located on Northern Tier Drive, which is just around the corner from PNC Park and Acrisure Stadium, so that you can get your fill of the brew on game days. Opened in 2017 as the first brewery satellite outside of the Lakewood flagship in NYC, it serves Pittsburgh-specific beers as well as familiar Southern Tier varieties (though the lineup changes, so give it a call to see if your favorite will be on the menu). A beer garden is also dog-friendly if you’re strolling the North Shore with your furry friend. Here at the end of Brewery Day, you wind down, a few minutes from the Casino.

Spend an Evening at Rivers Casino

Since opening on August 9, 2009, Rivers Casino has been open for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the North Shore of the Ohio River. The gaming floor features BetRivers Sportsbook, Pittsburgh’s first licensed sportsbook, in addition to slots, table games, and a 30-table poker room. The number of games that will be available will change periodically as the floor is reconfigured, so you should always visit the casino’s website to find out what they have going on before making a trip. 

If you’re thinking about spending the whole day, then The Landing Hotel, which opened in 2022, will offer more than 200 rooms, all overlooking the river and skyline. Martorano’s Prime will have dinner for those who want an Italian-American steakhouse from celebrity chef Steve Martorano; meanwhile, Wheelhouse Bar & Grill will have a game on one of its big screens for those looking to break out of the mold of a traditional Pittsburgh bar.

Extra Stops to Complete Your Weekend

A few additions turn this into a full weekend rather than a single big night out. Working one or two into Saturday morning or Sunday rounds out the trip nicely:

• Randyland: A free, painted folk-art house on the North Side, near the Deutschtown breweries.
• The Andy Warhol Museum: The Pittsburgh-born pop artist has seven floors near the North Shore.
• Roberto Clemente Bridge: This is closed to vehicles on Pirates and Steelers game days, an enjoyable stroll to downtown and the North Shore when it is closed. 
• Point State Park: A 36-acre park around its fountain where the three rivers converge.
• The cable car up Mt. Washington is still a fun way to get up Duquesne Incline and still one of the best views of the city’s skyline, since 1877.

It’s easy to travel between historic biergartens, a creative craft beer scene, and a party all night long without getting into a car for a long trip between stops in a few cities. The city of Pittsburgh is rather small, and you must make well-thought-out plans; the weekend takes place in a few loosely structured neighbourhoods along the rivers. Even if you’re interested in craft beer or heading to Rivers Casino, there’s a lot more to see than you can experience in just 48 hours, and no need to rush.