USA, PA: Hitchhiker Brewing Co. to launch new production facility in Pittsburgh

A Mt. Lebanon craft brewer is turning to one of Pittsburgh's busiest neighborhoods for nightlife as a new location for a production facility, Pittsburgh Business Times reported on January 14.

Hitchhiker Brewing Co., which operates a brewpub in Mt. Lebanon, plans to establish a new production facility in a 10,000-square-foot building at 1200 Muriel St. in the South Side Flats, according to the meeting agenda of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh, which will vote on whether to grant the venture a loan.

Gary Olden, owner and founder of Hitchhiker, offered only limited comment about the plan before a news press conference he’s scheduled to reveal the new expansion venture on January 15.

But he did say he’s generated initial support for the plan from the city and community organizations on the South Side.

According to the URA agenda, the new South Side location will free up space now used for beer production at the 1,250-square-foot Mt. Lebanon operation so it can be dedicated entirely to operating as a retail tap room.

Hitchhiker will move all its beer production to the new South Side facility, where the company will also handle its wholesale distribution.

Located near the South Side Market House, WYEP and the neighborhood's Holiday Inn Express & Suites, the new South Side location for Hitchhiker will also offer a retail tap room as well.

Despite nearby Carson Street’s large contingent of restaurants and bars, Hitchhiker’s foray onto Muriel Street marks a rare move by craft brewer onto the South Side.

15 January, 2016