USA, PA: Levity Brewing launches in Indiana

Another regional brewpub got its wings on January 22 when Levity Brewing Co. in Indiana, Pa., passed its final state Liquor Control Board inspection and started selling growlers of draft beer to go, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

The three partners in the project won’t be able to sell pints to drink on the premises until their sprawling space in a former window plant at 1380 Wayne Ave. gets its occupancy permit, but they say that should happen soon. Nearly three years in the making (and it felt longer to them), the brewery is the first since 1939 in Indiana, the birthplace of actor Jimmy Stewart.

“We’re breathing breaths of release,” says Erich Walls, who’s running the brewery and taproom with Jared Herman and Luke McKelvy. All of them have quit their day jobs or, as Mr. Walls puts it, “We dove in.”

For now, growlers-to-go hours are 12:30-7 p.m. Saturdays, 1-5 p.m. Sundays, 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays, 4-9 p.m. Thursdays and 3-9 p.m. Fridays. On January 22, they started by pouring Headlamp Stout, Hoodlebug Brown, Rabbit in the Rye (rye pale ale) and Conundrum (black India pale ale). They expected to add a brew or two — possibly Gymclass Allstar (saison) — this week.

Beers on the way include a saison loaded with fresh ginger called Saigon Kick and the delightfully named pale ale, “Indiana PA.”

A grand opening will be scheduled once the brewery gets its full occupancy permit.

Levity is one of two brewpubs coming to this college town about 60 miles east/northeast of Pittsburgh. Noble Stein Brewing Co. is preparing to open by late spring at 1170 Wayne Ave.

“We are most of the way through renovations,” one of four Noble Stein partners, Zack Morrow, said.

27 January, 2016