Old Thunder Brewing reveals official Blawnox centennial brew

Blawnox officials have tapped Old Thunder Brewing Co. to create the official beer of the borough’s centennial celebration.

The 100th anniversary event is set for noon-8 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Blawnox Community Park.

Old Thunder co-owners Josh Taylor, Rob Dillman and Zach Gordon debuted cans of its festive libation, an American pale ale called Positively Blawnox, on Sept. 9.

“It was a huge honor to be asked to do it,” Taylor said. “Especially for such a momentous occasion, celebrating 100 years of the borough, and to be doing it in tandem with some other local businesses that will be there. It was a great thing to be asked, and we’re really appreciative and humbled to be asked to do this.”

Old Thunder will be celebrating its fifth year in the borough in December.

The beer was expected to be made available at the brewery starting Sept. 16. Brewing began Aug. 22.

Taylor said it will be sold in four-packs of 16-ounce cans for $17 and on tap at $4 for 8-ounce drafts and $6 for 16-ounce drafts. Single 16-ounce cans will be sold at the centennial for $5 each.

Borough officials said it will be the only beer sold at the event.

Brewing process

Gordon, who also serves as Old Thunder’s head brewer, said they crafted an American Pale Ale and limited its alcohol content to 5% to make it a more universal beverage.

“We wanted something that was very approachable to most people,” he said. “We didn’t want to do anything too extreme in either direction. … We used a little bit of German malt in it and some American Cascade hops. It’s just an easy-to-drink beer.”

The hops are from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. There are notes of pink grapefruit, wheat bread and fresh white pine.

Taylor said Positively Blawnox is similar to a Sierra Nevada pale ale.

As of Sept. 9, Gordon said they made about 400 gallons, which equates to at least 45 cases of 16-ounce cans and 14 half-barrel kegs.

The label features a zoomed-in look at the mural painted on the side of Rick’s Barber Shop next to the brewery last year by renowned artist Lee Steadman.

The painting is a “framed” portrait of the bend in the Allegheny River. There are various trees with multicolored leaves, indicating a fall setting.

Taylor said the name Positively Blawnox is a play off a Bob Dylan song “Positively 4th Street,” and called beer naming the most difficult part of the process.

“Coming up with recipes is super easy,” he said. “Putting a name on it (is tough) because we don’t like to do anything that’s goofy or weird.”

Borough Manager Kathy Ulanowicz had the first taste of the new brew.

“I thought it was delicious, and I’m not a beer drinker,” Ulanowicz said. “It’s not too strong. It really has a citrus flavor.”

She commended Old Thunder’s cooperation with the celebration.

“They’re easy to work with,” Ulanowicz said. “They’re very community-minded. Always willing to do whatever we may ask.”

Other centennial activities

Centennial activities include pony rides, food vendors, bingo, a petting zoo, a drone show, face painting, airbrush tattoos, a magician, live music from Norman Nardini, The Neid’s Hotel Band and Band Together Pittsburgh performers.

Mayor Anthony W. Gross said he is expecting hundreds of people to come out to the park and enjoy the festivities.

The mayor said he is excited to see everyone and experience all but one thing at the park.

”I think I might be in the dunk tank,” Gross said. “I’m not looking forward to that, but I’m going to be there.”

Art Mart will also be in the park. It’s the replacement of this year’s Best of Blawnox Spring Art Fling. The event was postponed from its usual June date to September to coincide with the centennial. About 10 vendors have signed up to participate.

Councilwoman Elaine Palmer is on the centennial committee and will be running the bingo games.

“Adrenalin is beginning,” Palmer said of the event anticipation. “Excited for the get-together of the community. Things like this help to pull a community together. I couldn’t be more proud living here with a business here. I came here 30 years ago. Never thought I’d be part of the centennial.”

Palmer also tried the new beer and said it was light and fresh.

More information about the centennial is available on the borough website, blawnox.com.

More information about the brewery is available at oldthunderbrewing.com.