RESTAURANT REVIEW
PENN BREWERY • PITTSBURGH , PA
By Rachel Dayoub • Photos : Penn Brewery
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On a gorgeous fall day , my friend and I ate at Penn Brewery . Especially during Oktoberfest ( mid-September ), the Brewery is a local favorite , both for the events and the beer . The atmosphere is so Pittsburgh-like with a casual but quaint dining area .
As we sat at a high-top table , we could see a group touring the brewery , which is separated from the restaurant by a wall-size window . I watched their excited faces as they learned about the different beers and ways that Penn Brewery creates its unique flavors . All of the Penn Brewery beers come from real German hops and two-row barley , with no added corn or rice fillers .
Upon looking through the drink menu , I decided on Penn Gold . It ’ s a delicious light-colored lager and a five-time Great American Beer Festival winner . It also received a medal for the World Beer Cup .
Everything on the menu looked good , so picking my meal was a hard decision . My style of eating is like that of a stereotypical pregnant woman with a strange craving . I rarely eat foods that “ go together .” It ’ s my money and my appetite , right ?
I started off with fried pickles served with Sriracha aioli sauce . They had such a great flavor and were fried to perfection . My friend tried the Pretzel Trio with bier cheese , Heidelberg mustard , and Obatzda dip ( a Bavarian cheese-based concoction ). Talk about Oktoberfest !
As if that weren ’ t filling enough , here comes the entrée . I was so excited to taste my potato cheese pierogies , which have to be grilled perfectly for me to really love them . Let me tell you how amazing these were : perfectly sautéed and topped with grilled onions and sour cream . YUMMY !
I also tried a bite of my friend ’ s stroganoff with fillet . There ’ s my next choice when I go back . Beef tenderloin grilled perfectly over egg noodles and a wild mushroom gravy . My stomach is growling just thinking about it .
To top off our perfect lunch , we got the Pittsburgh Cookie Table , which is a sampler plate of cookies : Penn Brewery ’ s miniature version of the wedding cookie table tradition . They offered so many choices , and it was a delicious way to end the meal .
When we finished our cookies , we talked to the owners , Sandy and Linda about their favorite menu items . Sandy loves the Buffalo chicken pierogies , and Linda ’ s favorite is the kale salad with salmon .
Great conversation , wonderful Pittsburgh atmosphere , and amazing food . What more can you ask for on a beautiful fall day ?
Location : Northside-Deutschtown Pittsburgh , PA Price Range : $ 7.00 –$ 28.00 Dress : Casual
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62 INSPIRING LIVES WINTER 2017