You already know that you love our local breweries and distilleries, so why not learn a little more about them?
Below, you’ll find six Pittsburgh alcohol producers that offer behind-the-scenes tours every weekend. And, just for fun, we’ve even included an extra-special haunted brewery tour that you won’t want to miss this October.
East End Brewing: Grains to Glass Brewery Tour
EEBC hosts their “Grains to Glass Brewery Tour” twice a month at their brewery in Larimer.
For $25 per person, guests receive four samplings of current East End Beers, a tour of the facilities, information on how beer starts at grains and ends in your glass (with a chance to taste the ingredients), and a free growler full of the beer of your choice
The entire tour and tasting lasts about an hour, but guests are welcome to linger afterwards. Tickets can be purchased online.
East End Brewing Company (147 Julius Street)
Maggie’s Farm Rum Distillery Tours
Pittsburgh’s local rum distiller (which has been getting a lot of national acclaim) runs tours of their distillery every Saturday afternoon.
These tours walk guests through the history of rum. Guests will learn about the specific processes of rum production, and get an upfront look at Maggie’s fermentation and distillation equipment. The tour runs approximately 60-90 minutes, and includes a tasting of each of the rums and rum liqueurs that Maggie’s makes.
If you want to arrive and grab a cocktail, you’ll be permitted to bring it on the tour. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online.
Maggie’s Farm Rum (3212A Smallman Street)
Boyd & Blair Vodka Distillery Tours
Located just up Route 8, and 15 minutes from Downtown Pittsburgh, is the distillery for Boyd & Blair, a Pittsburgh-made potato vodka.
The distillery is open to the public every Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for free tours and tastings. Tours are conducted on the half hour, and guests will learn the step-by-step process that the vodka takes from potato to bottle.
Body & Blair often brings in live music and food trucks on Saturdays, so follow their Facebook to see who will be arriving each week.
Boyd & Blair (1101 William Flynn Hwy., Glenshaw)
Wigle Whiskey Tours
Pittsburgh’s whiskey empire, Wigle Whiskey, offers tours for both their Strip District distillery, and Northside Barrelhouse.
Stop by the distillery on Saturdays (and now some Fridays) for a tour and taste of Wigle. The tour starts with a look at Wigle’s organic, local grain, and an explanation of how they transform it into whiskeys, gins, rums, and vodka.
The tour will also include a telling of the true tale of the Pittsburgh Whiskey Rebellion, one of the country’s quirkiest and most pivotal events.
Tickets include a cocktail, tour of the distillation process, a history of the Whiskey Rebellion, and a seated tasting of straight spirits. The tour lasts one hour and tickets can be purchased online.
Barrelhouse tours occur on Saturdays and Sundays from May through mid-October. Sip on a barrel-aged cocktail and get a sneak peek (and taste) of Wigle’s experimental whiskeys. Tickets are $20 and include the tour, a cocktail, and a tasting of five straight spirits. You can also schedule a private tour at either location, with a group of 12 or more.
Penn Brewery Tours
Head to a Pittsburgh classic, Penn Brewery, at 1:00 p.m. on Saturdays for a behind-the-scenes tour of Penn Brewery’s beer production, led by one of Penn’s brewers.
Founded in 1986, Penn Brewery is one of the grandfathers of Pittsburgh’s craft brewing scene. Additionally, the brewery is located in the old Eberhardt and Ober Brewery building on the Northside, which dates back to the 19th century, so there’s plenty to learn and see on this tour.
Tickets to the tour are $25 and include a 16 oz. beer, and your choice of either a Penn T-shirt or a filled growler.
Penn Brewery (800 Vinial Street)
Haunted Brewery Tour at Rivertowne Brewing
This Halloween season, Rivertowne is making things a little more spooky, and offering haunted brewery tours throughout October. Rumor has it that that the Rivertowne Brewery is haunted, so stop through to see everything up close while “getting your wits scared out of ya.” Tours run on October 6, October 7, October 13, October 14, October 20, October 21, October 27, and October 28 at 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and 9:00 p.m.
Learn about the process, sample some brews, and “party with all the other ghosts and goblins that frequent the brewery this time of year.”
Rivertowne will also host traditional brewery tours on September 23 at 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Call 724-519-2145 to book your spot.
Rivertowne Brewing ( 5578 Old William Penn Hwy, Export)
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