Beer 'brings people together' at 1st of Pittsburgh Brewing's Oktoberfest days in East Deer

Gus Scalo didn’t win a stein-holding competition at Pittsburgh Brewing in East Deer on Saturday, but he showed that beer who the boss was by chugging it after bowing out.

“It looks a lot easier than it is,” he said. “I’m feeling it, man, I’m feeling it.”

The stein-holding competition was one of many events that made up the first day of Pittsburgh Brewing’s third annual Oktoberfest.

It will be held again on Saturday, Sept. 27 — with the Glory Daze motorcycle show hosted in between, next weekend, Sept. 20 and 21.

The schedule was adjusted this year so it would not conflict with Friday night high school football. So far, it has changed every year, from a one-day event, to two consecutive days, and to two separated Saturdays this year.

Based on ticket sales, at least 1,500 people were expected for Oktoberfest on Saturday, with even more anticipated for Sept. 27, which falls more in-line with when Oktoberfests are traditionally held, said Todd Zwicker, president of Pittsburgh Brewing.

However, Saturday’s turnout was expected to be bolstered by walk-ups drawn out by the sunny, warm and rain-free weather, which was quite different from the gray skies and scattered showers there was for the first day on a Friday last year.

“Beer is a very social product,” Zwicker said. “The great thing about beer is it brings people together.”

That was certainly true for John White, of Neville Island, who has come to the Oktoberfest each year. He uses it to celebrate his Sept. 26 birthday with family and friends, including some from across and out of state.

“It’s a neat event, wonderful, lots of fun. We make it a bucket list for every year,” he said. “It’s just a nice day. Everybody’s pleasant. The staff are fantastic.”

In addition to partaking of the beer, food, games and vendors, some attendees were also planning to watch the Backyard Brawl between Pitt and West Virginia University at the brewery.

Zack Philpot, of Shaler, was one of them. He also won that stein-holding competition with a time of 4 minutes and 1 second.

”It took a lot of mental endurance at the end. My hand was shaking,” he said. “It was definitely not easy.”

Many families brought children with them, who were able to enjoy features such as a petting zoo with goats, pigs and a cow.

“It’s a nice, family-friendly event with a little something for everybody,” said Rebecca McCormick, event coordinator.

That was true for Phil Chandler, an Upper Burrell native who still has family there and now lives in Pittsburgh’s Lincoln Place neighborhood. His daughter, Wrenleigh, 2, enjoyed the petting zoo. The event offered a chance for his family and friends to spend a beautiful day together.

“I feel like there are is more this year than last year,” he said.

Lou Strong and his fiancee, Nika Little, of Jeannette came back to Pittsburgh Brewing for Oktoberfest after attending a car show there.

“We love it here,” Little said after they had played a game of beer pong. “The atmosphere is really nice here.”

The Southern Armstrong Police Department was running a 50/50 raffle and selling merchandise to support its three-dog K9 unit. The Shawnee Ridge Cornhole club held a tournament on the lawn and made a donation to the police department.

“It’s awesome,” Keith Jackson, of Fox Chapel and club founder, said of the event. “It’s absolutely awesome.”

Pittsburgh Brewing began production in East Deer in April 2022 and has been hosting major events there for two years, Zwicker said.

They’ve included concerts, car and motorcycle shows, a regatta, watch parties for Steelers games and the Kentucky Derby, and events for holidays such as St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween.

“It’s great for the brand, and it’s great for the community,” Zwicker said. “It’s getting people in the facility, which is one-of-a-kind and world class.”

Turning an industrial site into an event venue has come with its challenges, such as past traffic snarls on Freeport Road, but it’s something Zwicker said they’ve been working on.

“We’re in a really good place now,” he said. “It’s getting very, very good and will continue to get better.”