Mixing Irish green with Pittsburgh Black & Gold, fans cheer Steelers to victory at morning watch parties
Beers, cheers and breakfast were the staples of early-morning watch parties for Sunday’s Steelers game in Ireland.
Enthusiastic fans cheered on the Black & Gold as the Steelers played the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin’s Croke Park. Kickoff was at 9:30 a.m., Pittsburgh time.
It was the Steelers’ first regular-season international game in Ireland. They defeated the Vikings, 24-21, wrapping up the game in time for lunch stateside.
The atmospheres at three Alle-Kiski Valley breweries were colorful, with many attendees sporting green garb among a sea of black and gold. A dense early-morning fog gave way to sunshine, a welcome sight since outdoor big screens were set up to accommodate spillover seating.
Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in East Deer prepped all week for the 1,000-plus ticketholders showing up at around 7 a.m. for “Kegs and Eggs” held inside the brewery.
An outdoor viewing area with numerous food trucks, a big-screen TV and tables was another option.
“Beers were flowing and we had a large draft trailer set up with more than 200 kegs,” said Alex Gonzalez, vice president of operations.
Tim and Dee Reiber of Shaler, first-time visitors to Pittsburgh Brewing, said the event didn’t disappoint.
“I think it’s great that the Steelers are going global with play. It’s all good,” Tim said. Dee nursed a Tequila Sunrise and sported a bright green Irish-themed T-shirt, a nod to her Irish heritage.
Dana Collins of Baltimore enjoyed throwing footballs into Steeler-themed buckets.
“My friends here are Steelers fans so I’m a Steelers fan today,” Collins said.
Andrew Bush, 25, of Bethel Park loaded up his plate with eggs inside Pittsburgh Brewing, taking in the festive atmosphere before kickoff.
“I had to set my alarm to get up this early,” Bush said. “But I’m glad. I wanted a fun place to watch the game.”
At Local Remedy Brewing in Oakmont, lifelong Steelers fan Michael Getty savored the suds early.
“I had beer for breakfast,” said Getty, in town visiting his brother in Oakmont.
Getty moved to Cincinnati 30 years ago, but enjoys returning to Pittsburgh for game days.
“Ireland is a perfect place for them to play,” Getty said. “What a joy it was to get up at 9 a.m. this morning and watch a Steelers game.”
The crowd at Tortured Souls Brewing in New Kensington was rowdy and rambunctious as the Steelers took the lead near halftime.
Festive cheers, an occasional hollered profanity and a packed bar made for a memorable morning for Beaver resident Kelsey Watt, who sat outside with her boyfriend watching the big-screen television set up for the “Renegade Beer Collab Release” watch party. It started at 8 a.m. with a breakfast buffet.
Watt, 24, said she has some Irish ancestry and hopes to visit Ireland in the near future.
“I have friends who went to the game. I absolutely would have gone had I known about this sooner,” Watt said.
Renegade Beer is a collaboration between Hope Beer in Dublin and Tortured Souls Brewing, where it debuted Sunday.
Renegade, an American pale ale, is also being sold at the The Bald Eagle/Crossed Rifles, a gastroppub in Dublin.
Steelers fans bring the noise when “Renegade,” a 1979 Styx song, is played at Steelers home games.
Shelly Carter of New Kensington described herself as a football fanatic who loved to rise and shine early for the game. She sipped a morning mimosa. Watt, her new Steelers friend, later treated her to a shot.
Tortured Souls employee Embree Bash of Lower Burrell was busy running food that included breakfast chili.
“It’s chill here and a nice little community,” Bash said.
Tortured Souls bartender Billie Aguglia of Lower Burrell poured too many Renegade beers to count.
“It’s our beer that is being served in Ireland and everywhere right now,” Aguglia said.
“Kegs and Eggs” Steelers morning watch party in full swing Sunday morning @ Pittsburgh Brewing Co. in Wast Deer. @TribLIVE @VNDNews @TimBenzPGH pic.twitter.com/uVhQRdsFg0
— Reporter Joyce Hanz (@hanz_joyce) September 28, 2025
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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