Also on the scene
• Also newly open in Grove City is a new brewpub with an old name. Koehler Brewing Co. reprises the name of a one-time Erie brewery that started in 1847 and a popular brand made there until 1978 by the original Erie Brewing Co. This brewery and taproom is at 231 Park St. When it opened on July 27, the place’s Facebook page invited people via Facebook to “be the first in 39 years to have a Koehler Beer!”
Owner and brewer Bruce Koehler of Cranberry says he doesn’t know if he’s any relation, but his family used to live near the long-gone brewery. “It’s just something I grew up with, and I had an emotional attachment to it,” he says. “I’m trying to bring it back the best I can.”
The trademark had been abandoned, so after years of work, he’s able to use the Koehler name and designs, right down to the distinctive blue label for the lager. He plans to bottle that and an amber ale as well as an IPA. They started out serving those and three other brews in pints and in growlers to go at the taproom, which is decorated with some of his Koehler memorabilia.
With a big 15-barrel brewhouse, he’s looking forward to bottling and distributing the beer, which used to be available across Pennsylvania and neighboring states. He says he’ll be ready to talk more once he gets his bottling and labeling line humming in the next month or so.
For now, taproom hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The address is part of the former Cooper-Bessemer plant at 231 Park St., Grove City, PA 16127. The website is koehlerbrewingco.com.
• Laurel Highlands Meadery is celebrating Mead Day at its Irwin tasting room from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday.
Owner Matt Falenski says there will be a demonstration on making this honey wine at 3 p.m. They’ll be sampling their own wares as well as meads from a handful of other makers from across the state. Confirmed so far are Apis, KingView, Haymaker and Meduseld. As he puts it, “Pennsylvania is turning into a pretty awesome mead destination.
The tasting room is at 106 Fourth St. in Irwin. The website is LaurelHighlandsMeadery.com.
• On Saturday, the new Taproom opened at Voodoo Brewing Co.’s production facility, which it calls the Compound, at 834 Bessemer St. in Meadville. The 3,000-plussquare-foot tasting room has 24 taps, a 48foot bar, communal seating and snacks. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday (voodoobrewery.com).
• Also open — on Route 40 in Hopwood, Fayette County -— is the Pot Still Pub, selling spirits from the nearby Ridge Runner Distillery that runs it and other Pennsylvania wines and beers. The old stone tavern previously was home to Dr. McCarthy’s Kitchen and, before that, Chez Girard French restaurant. A grand-opening party is planned for Aug. 18 (find it on Facebook). The address is 1186 National Pike; phone is 724-550-4187.
• Tickets went on sale Monday for the 11th Steel City Big Pour beer, food, music and art celebration at Construction Junction in Point Breeze. Tickets ($80 or $35 for designated drivers) are available for both sessions — at noon and 5 p.m. on Sept. 9. Mike Gable, CJ executive director, notes that there are new twists this year, including Monmade, which will be selling locally made craft beer items. According to community outreach coordinator Terry Wiles, new food vendors partners include Shab’s Mediterranean Grill, Hempzels, Piccadilly Artisan Yogurt, Pittsburgh Po’ Boy, Blume Honey Water and Plated Trade, with more additions in the works. New brewers and other beverage pourers include Rhinegeist, Leaning Cask, 11th Hour, Lake Hill, Saugatuck, Allegheny City, Big Rail, Prairie, Nobel Stein, Sole, plus KingView Mead and Laurel Highlands Meadery. More at cjreuse.org/big-pour.