East Deer, surrounding communities excited for new Iron City Beer building

As Pittsburgh Brewing Co. continues to make progress on its new home, neighbors in East Deer and beyond are looking forward to the new brewery and related projects, expected to open next year.

Structurally, General Manager Todd Zwicker said, the building is the same as it was when the Pittsburgh Glass Works was there before the plant closed in 2018. Cliff Forrest, owner of the Kittanning-based Rosebud Mining Co. who took over Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in 2018, bought the shuttered plant in 2019.

The company recently placed its name on the building to give it an official branding. The signage is visible for those driving nearby or along Route 28. Earlier this summer, the company was able to extinguish the underground coal fire that had been burning since 2017.

Zwicker said the next steps involve installing fermentation and aging tanks. The building will also have spaces for a draft beer cooler, brewhouse, and shipping and packaging site. An estimated 60 to 70 workers are on site making progress on the building throughout the week.

The company will brew its current brands like Iron City, IC Light, Old German and American. Zwicker said new brands are to be determined.

The building has large brewing equipment tanks occupying the open main space where a brewhouse will be built. The floors are concrete across the building with spots of rocks from construction progress. Brick walls make up most of the buildings structure with steel black beams towering above.

Stacks of wooden boards, ladders, saws, wires and other construction equipment occupy most of the barren spaces in the building. The building’s original windows remain in tact, bringing in natural light to brighten the interior.

Greg Rutkoski of Frazer is happy to see the building be renovated and not left to be an empty eyesore for the community.

“To see the money being spent to renovate the factory for production and also to see the building be made to look good is a win-win,” he said. The structure is located along the Allegheny River in the Creighton section of East Deer.

East Deer resident Wen Bar is excited for the brewery’s plan to add a restaurant. “It already looks better with the renovations they have done. I noticed the sign right away,” Bar said.

Pittsburgh Brewing will add more signage around the building to attract more attention. The company has ramped up marketing efforts in the past year, most noticeably with a large billboard on top of Mt. Washington, one of the most prominent sites in Pittsburgh.

Rosie Buchholz of East Deer is looking for the brewery to bring new life to the community.

“I hope this brings new birth to the area in a positive way,” Buchholz said. “I hate driving through the area and see the depression of all the communities.”

Getting a tour of the new building for Pittsburgh Brewing Co.'s Iron City Beer in East Deer.

These are aging and fermentation tanks.
The right tanks can handle up to 250 barrels and the tank on the left can handle up to 490 barrels. @TribLIVE / @VNDNews pic.twitter.com/KupxIgIIS7

— Tanisha Thomas (@tanishajanae) October 7, 2021

The company is already eyeing possibilities of expansion for the brewing production after its completion.

The company has indicated plans to open an adjoining restaurant, outdoor event venue, beer museum and marina at the site. The plans also include using an old boiler house on site to make whiskey, with a focus on rye whiskeys and bourbons. Up to 20,000 square feet will be used to store and age the liquors, the company said.

While excitement is buzzing, there are concerns about traffic and safety because of the traffic lights at the intersection of Bailies Run Road, Freeport Road and Ferry Street.

Annie Klein lives across the street from the brewery. She and her husband, Dave, wonder if the traffic light will improve to prevent congestion.

The Kleins said each house in their neighborhood has at least one or two kids, so they worry about cars speeding down the street.

“They will have to do something about the lights because traffic is real slow. That light only changes after two cars or so,” she said.

This is where packaging will be done. This part of the building is tentatively scheduled to be done by late February. pic.twitter.com/ni0KYDAfwk

— Tanisha Thomas (@tanishajanae) October 7, 2021

The brewery also brings the new jobs and tax revenue. Allegheny County assessed the building this year at $874,000.

Deer Lakes School District spokesperson Shawn Annarelli said it is difficult to determine how much the building would affect tax revenue for the school until the county does a reassessment of the property.

“We are hopeful that the project would bring more jobs to the community and attract new residents and new development, which would help to increase tax revenue,” Annarelli said.

East Deer Commissioner Chairman Tony Taliani said it is unknown at the moment whether the building will increase taxes for residents in the township.

“We are not concerned about that right now because that is not in our control,” he said.

Taliani said the brewery has maintained a great partnership with the township. He is excited to see what is to come after the brewery opens.

“I am hopeful this is the beginning of other big things to come in the community,” he said.