What’s Brewing? Father's Day beer, gift ideas and things to do

Baseball and beer go hand in hand, but if you can’t get your dad out to a game this Father’s Day, consider the other part of that equation. Take your dad out for a beer!

You still have a little over a week to plan something fun with Dad — Father’s Day is June 16. It’s an opportunity for us to spend time with the most important man in our life.

Here are a few suggestions of things you might want to do for Dad if you haven’t decided already.

I see a lot of fathers with their sons playing one of the 44 pinball machines and drinking beers at Helicon Brewing in Oakdale. It’s not far from the airport either, if Dad happens to be flying in. Spoonwood Brewing Co. in Bethel Park has a nice lunch and/or dinner for Father’s Day this year, but you’ll need to make a reservation. If you’ve had their food, you’ll know why their tables fill up fast.

If you can’t get your dad out at all maybe you can send him a Beer of the Month Club subscription. He’ll receive a fantastic collection of bottled and canned beers from all over the country and you can purchase as many months as you’d like.

Another option for dads who love beer is to purchase a subscription to the Pittsburgh-based company, First Sip Brew Box. No actual beer will arrive in the box, however, dad will receive cool swag including pint glasses, T-shirts, beer bread mixes, stickers, jellies, soaps and more from some of the best breweries around the country.

If you have a dad who enjoys domestic beer but hasn’t yet embraced the craft beer scene, it’s understandable. With craft beer comes some pretty crazy flavors, aromas and colors that your dad just might not be ready to indulge in. Perhaps you could purchase a growler or two from a local brewery. Fill it with a lager, pilsner, Kolsch or something with a classic taste that he might enjoy.

Here are a few suggestions on local craft beers to try. This might be the first step to getting dad to that brewery for a refill.

Devout Brewing Co. Export

35° And Crushing It

Cream Ale (5% ABV). A light, crisp and easy drinking “Lawnmower” beer. Best enjoyed in backyards, while sitting on porches and during sporting events with Dad.

Sobel’s Obscure Brewery

(Coming soon to Jeannette, beer is available in local distributors)

Peachy Pilsner

German-Style Pilsner (6% ABV). Light gold color with flavors of peach and champagne. Not outrageously sweet. This pilsner is peach infused to give you a refreshing, easy drinking pilsner with a peachy pop for Pop!

Hitchhiker Brewing Co.

Sharpsburg

15th and Canal

American Pale Ale (5.5% ABV). Brewed with oats and hopped with Citra and Mosaic. Named after our production brewery and taproom in Sharpsburg. Notes of pine needles, blueberries, pineapple and grapefruit, but not too over-the-top for Dad.

Full Pint Brewing Co.

North Versailles

Social Grapefruit

Session IPA (4.3% ABV). This smells like grapefruit, lemon and other bits of citrus. It’s extremely light and very refreshing. Great beer for when you’re hanging outside with Dad.