Necromancer Brewing set to open in March in Ross
For Ben Butler, the space just felt right.
After months of searching for a site for their new brewery, Butler and his business partner Aaron Easler have signed the lease. Look for a March opening of Necromancer Brewing Co. at 2257 Babcock Blvd. in Ross.
“I grew up in Ross, and I love this part of Pittsburgh,” said Butler. “We had looked at other locations but this was destiny. We are so thrilled to be here. Babcock Boulevard is the crown jewel of the North Hills.” Butler is the founder of Top Hat, a Pittsburgh-based creative branding agency known for collaborating with the craft beer industry, and Easler is the creative director and partner in the firm.
People have asked Butler and Easler why they‘re opening a brewery while the pandemic is likely still going to be underway. The plan, Butler said, is to launch as if indoor dining and drinking restrictions are in place. The brewery will offer pickup and delivery, and make beers available through a select distribution.
Gov. Tom Wolf has limited bars and restaurants to takeout and delivery through at least Jan. 4.
“Normally, brewers start with a tap room and kegs and then add canning,” said Butler, a certified cicerone, the beer industry equivalent of a wine sommelier. “But, we are starting with canning.”
The tap room can be added later, he said. There is plenty of room to expand to indoor service in the 14,400-square foot space, which will make it one of the top 10 largest craft breweries by square footage in Pittsburgh, he said.
“It’s a beautiful space,” Butler said. “I could put out some German picnic benches and be ready to serve indoors once we would be allowed.”
The brewery will have four beers available year round — NE IPA Ever, a New England IPA; Laissez Faire, a Belgian witbier; Wildwood, a grisette; and Square Dancing, a Kentucky common ale. An additional dozen brews will be released throughout the year.
The head brewer is Lauren Hughes, who’s worked locally as assistant head brewer at Penn Brewery, assistant brewer at Rock Bottom Brewery, bar manager at Hitchhiker Brewing and bartender at Hop Farm Brewing. She was also tasting room manager at Sun King Brewery in Indianapolis.
“This area is a hot spot,” Butler said. “There are a lot of ‘Yinzers’ in this area, me being one of them. There has been a lot of chatter about the brewery. I am excited to get this going.”
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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