On the continuing trend of Pittsburgh not being a "touristy" place featuring more authentic community places and hometown originals, The East End Brewing Company shines.
The place was started by a local guy who just wanted to brew beer. That is about the shape of it. It is run by volunteers who are paid in beer, and the knowledge they gain learning how to brew beer.
TAKE A MAP WITH YOU! You see, when a guy in the East End decides to start a brewery and do it on the cheap and local, he might decide to rent out a small part of an old warehouse/factory sort of building next to elevated train tracks with it's only door sitting on what feels like an odd back alley, and might end up being a dead end.
The best part of the brewery is the tasting hours. You can go to sample any or all of the beers. Don't expect an impressive facility. That isn't what this is about. If you want to sit at a table and have someone tell you how to taste beer go to The Sam Adams brewery in Boston. This is a real place, making real beer.
Some of the beers are ok, a few a great, and couple are not good at all. But hey, that is the nature of a small independent community-run brewery! And besides... YOU GET TO TASTE WHATEVER YOU WANT BEFORE YOU BUY!
Growlers are VERY reasonably priced, and if you can tolerate some hipsters musk on occasion you can't go wrong here!
Cash only.. make sure you've got a $20!