To fully understand the experience at Spring Hill Brewing, you might just need to go check it out for yourself.
Almost three years in the making, this highly-anticipated brewery opens next month in Spring Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. However, the brewery is not just located in Spring Hill. It’s part of a much larger renovation project on the neighborhood’s former Workingmen’s Beneficial Union (WBU) social hall.
The brewery is located inside of the WBU building, which sits atop a several acre plot of land in Spring Hill. According to NEXTPittsburgh, the team behind Shadyside Nursery – Bill Brittain and Natasha Dean – purchased the building, and the land, in 2015. Previously, the the couple had been searching all over Pittsburgh for a site for an urban farm.
Since the purchase, they’ve been working to transform the land and the WBU building. The WBU is over a hundred years old, and had sat untouched for nearly fifteen years.
“It needed everything,” says Greg Kamerdze, owner of Spring Hill Brewing. “There was a lot of work done to get here.”
With the finish line in site, the land – dubbed “Rescue Street Farms” – is now home to more than a few exciting projects.
In addition to housing Spring Hill Brewing, the couple renovated the building into a multi-use event space named “WBU at Spring Hill.” The indoor/outdoor space has a view of the farm, and easy access to adult beverages, thanks to the brewery. The space is perfect for anything from weddings to corporate events. There is also a 3,000 sq foot ballroom on the second floor of the building.
While the building had to be completely renovated, the team worked hard to keep the history of the space alive. For example, guests will notice displays of memorabilia found during the renovation, as well as the wood from the WBU’s former bowling alley used for the bar at Spring Hill Brewing.
And while all of this is exciting on its own, beer fans will be thrilled to hear about the brews coming out of Spring Hill Brewing. The brewery plans to collaborate with the farm in more ways than just sharing an address, and guests can expect to see plenty of farmhouse style ales on the draft list.
“We will grow some hops on the farm,” says Kamerdze. “We have bee hives and work with local beekeepers, so I’m excited to start brewing honey beer.”
Kamerdze focuses on Belgian-style beers. The Spring Hill Brewery will have eight taps. Four will be dedicated to the brewery’s flagship styles, which are based on farmhouse beers that Kamerdze loves. These beers include a White Ale spiced with caraway and coriander, as well as a Golden Ale, Brown Ale, and an American IPA. The other taps will change every few months and feature anything from sours to IPAs.
“It’s a comfortable and casual place to have a beer,” says Kamerdze. “The taproom is very cozy. I hope people come in and are compelled to stay and have a few beers.”
As mentioned before, anyone curious about the Rescue Street Farms project might just need to go check it out for themselves. The brewery will have its opening weekend April 13-14, 2018.
“When people start coming up here, they will get the idea,” laughs Kamerdze.
Spring Hill Brewing (1958 Varley St)
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