Since 1996, A Pennsylvania Hidden Gem Tucked In An Old Church Keeps Craft Beer Flowing - Tasting Table

"In 1996, nearly 100 years after its initial construction, Pittsburgh's St. John the Baptist Church got a brew-lease-on-life, resurrected as a brewpub aptly named The Church Brew Works. The original cornerstone of the church went into place in 1902, and after almost a century of surviving fires and receiving churchgoers, the establishment ultimately closed its doors in 1993."

"Much of the charm of The Church Brew Works is in the way that founder Sean Casey has kept original parts of the church front-and-center, creating a space equal parts restoration and reimagining. The church's original pews (although now a tad shorter) still seat visitors, while their leftover oak planks now form the bar. Original lanterns have been restored and hung and the authentic Douglas fir floors and vibrant stained glass windows remain in place."

"The Church Brew Works holds a 3.57 rating on Untappd, (putting it in a similar ballpark as bigger breweries like Sierra Nevada Brewing Company). It also holds over 25 awards from various beer competitions and festivals over the years, with the Great American Beer Festival title of 2012 Large Brewpub of the Year as the crowning achievement."

The Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh represents a modern adaptation of the centuries-old tradition of monastic beer brewing. Originally constructed in 1902, St. John the Baptist Church closed in 1993 and was transformed into a brewpub in 1996 by founder Sean Casey. The establishment uniquely preserves the church's original features, including shortened pews now used for seating, oak planks repurposed as the bar, restored lanterns, Douglas fir floors, and stained glass windows. A confessional booth displays merchandise while a turn-of-the-century pipe organ contrasts with modern brewing equipment. The brewery achieves critical success with a 3.57 Untappd rating comparable to major breweries, over 25 competition awards, and the 2012 Great American Beer Festival title for Large Brewpub of the Year. The establishment specializes in traditional European beer styles.

Read at Tasting Table