PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It’s “American Craft Beer Week,” and small breweries have a lot to celebrate. They have bucked a national trend of the large business swallowing the smaller one.

Small breweries haven’t disappeared. They’re just getting smaller. Penn Brewery on the North Side is one of several locally-owned micro-breweries producing independent craft beers right on site.
Brewmaster Andy Rich says the spread of craft breweries fits a growing trend toward growing and brewing local.

“The craft brewers of America are expanding either through brew pubs or through micro-breweries, craft brewers,” he explained.

Penn Brewery is one of five locally-owned and operated craft beer breweries in the Pittsburgh area, including the Church Brew Works in Lawrenceville, East End Brewing. East of the city, you have Rivertowne and the very appropriately named Full Pint.

Sales manager Eric Heinauer says the relatively new brewery in the old building is celebrating its 25th anniversary, producing about 14 different home-brewed beers.

“The trend is being local,” he adds. “Local produce, local food sourcing and nothing tastes better than something that close and prepared very quickly.”

If you want to celebrate Craft Beer Week, most local micro-breweries will have tastings this weekend. To find out where they are, click here.

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