Millennial Trains Project Update

mtp-logoTHANK YOU Pittsburgh!  A week ago I learned that there were 3 seats left on the waiting list for the Millennial Trains Project inaugural trip.  I sent an email to the IheartPGH email list asking for help to raise the $5000 needed to get a seat on the train.

I am honored to have the support of over 90 Pittsburgh lovers.  In less than 36, the Pittsburgh lovers in this city an all across the country, helped me meet the fundraising goal.

Tomorrow, yes tomorrow! I head to California and the trip starts Thursday morning.

Pittsburgh Meet-Ups from Coast to Coast

I’ve got events planned for each stop and I need your help to reach out to your fellow Pittsburghers in San Francisco, Denver, Omaha, Chicago and Pittsburgh!  I am still working on locations (ideally a Steelers bar or a business owned by a Pittsburgher) for each meetup but I’m hoping to meet with and talk to as many Pittsburghers as possible.

An Updated Map of Pittsburgh Places and Steelers Bars

You can follow the trip and help us build the biggest list of Pittsburgh places over at www.UnitedStatesofPittsburgh.com.  We’ve made some major updates and you can now browse the directory by a fancy map.   You can submit more locations to the map here.

Follow The Trip

I’ll be updating the United States of Pittsburgh Facebook page and Twitter @USofPGH along the way!

Read more about the Millennial Trains Project

#UheartPGH- You told us what U “heart” about Pittsburgh, now it is time to vote!

Last week we wanted to know what you love about Pittsburgh and took nominations for our first ever #UheartPGH. Now it is time to vote! Below we have listed the nominees and the polls for you to vote for what you think is Pittsburgh’s best.

Voting ends Friday August 9th. Winners will then be announce and profiled next week.

Best Happy Hour Draft Special
Church Brew Works
 – Located in Lawrenceville, ½ off drafts from 4:30 to 6:30 Monday through Friday.
The Library
 – Near the Southside Works, their special boasts $3 drafts from 5 to 7 and 9 to 11 everyday.
Mad Mex
 – Get ½ off draft beers from 4:30 to 6:30 Monday through Friday at any of their locations.
The Sharp Edge
 – On Wednesdays from 4:30 to 6:30, you can get ½ off Belgian drafts and $1 off large drafts.
Fox and the Hound
 – Get ½ off drafts from 5 to 7.

Best Day Trip
Ohiopyle State Park
 – Enjoy hiking, biking, rafting, fishing, and camping. There are even restaurant options.
North Country Brewing
 – Located in Slippery Rock, this brewery offers food, music, and even community service.
Fallingwater
 – Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is found in Stewart Township, Fayette County. Is on the    Smithsonian’s list of places “to visit before you die”.
North Park
 – This county park boasts a golf course, ice skating rink, swimming pool, and tennis courts. Located  north of Pittsburgh in Allison Park.
Volant, Lawrence County
 – Come here to see the Amish country of western Pennsylvania!

Coolest Bathroom
Jerome Bettis’ Grill
 – One-way mirrors above the urinals allow guests to look out into the bar.
The Mattress Factory
 – Found in the basement of the museum, it certainly is interesting.
North Country Brewing
 – The faucets have a unique design of a wooden arm holding a watering can.
Harris Grill
 – The men’s bathroom has a urinal that looks like the Rolling Stones lip logo.
Oh Yeah! Ice Cream and Coffee
 – The door to this restroom is a one-way mirror so that outside guests can’t see in.

Best Neighborhood Festival
St. Malachy Nationality Food Festival
 – In Kennedy Township, this festivals features food from Italy, Germany, Poland, Mexico, and Greece,  as well as carnival games for the kids. Takes place in October.
South Park Rib Fest
 – Takes place Labor Day Weekend
Bloomfield Italian Days
 – In the streets of Pittsburgh’s Little Italy, enjoy food, music, sidewalk sales, giveaways, and more.
Southside Works I Made It! Market
 – This festival features over 65 local artisans as well as music, food and drink, sidewalk sales, and  kids activities.

Best Pierogi
Pierogi Plus
 – In McKees Rocks, these pierogies are self-proclaimed to be the most authentic, next to going to  Warsaw or Krakow.
Forgotten Taste
 – With three locations in Moon Township, Wexford, and Cranberry, there are many varieties, both hot  and ready or frozen for later.
Church Brew Works
 – Try their pierogi pizza!
Gosia’s
 – You can purchase these handmade, authentic pierogies at a variety of farmer’s markets in the  Pittsburgh area.
The Pierogi Truck
 – These pierogies are on wheels!

Best Thrift Store
All of these nominees have unique finds that change everyday. Where have you had the most successes?
Goodwill, Lawrenceville
Goodwill, Monroeville
Goodwill, Banksville Rd.
Goodwill, Southside
Red, White & Blue, Saw Mill Run
Red, White & Blue, Ohio River Blvd

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International Beer Day: Guide to Pittsburgh breweries and more

Beer!

Even though today is International Beer Day, it’s a great chance to go local with these Pittsburgh businesses that know and love beer.

Brew Gentlemen
Coming soon to Braddock, this promising venture is a collaboration between two CMU grads. They’re working on getting a full production brewery set up, and are eventually planning to add a taproom and lounge. Even though it’s not open yet, it’s totally worth keeping an eye on!

church brew works interior

church brew works interior (Photo credit: calamity_hane)

Church Brew Works
While their beer is tasty and their food menu interesting, the most impressive thing about Church Brew Works is the building. Located inside an old church in Lawrenceville, the beautifully restored architecture steals the show as you sip on one of their award-winning beers.
Church Brew Works on Urbanspoon

Copper Kettle Brewing Company
This place is truly unique: as the only brew-on-premise in Pennsylvania, customers can use Copper Kettle’s equipment, ingredients, recipes, and expertise to brew and bottle their own beer. Perfect for people who may be intimidated by home brewing or simply don’t want to deal with the hassle, Copper Kettle is located in Greenfield as an extension of craft beer bar Hough’s.

East End Brewing Company
A small microbrewery, East End isn’t exactly a pub where you can sit down for a beer. However, you can fill up growlers of their delicious home brews at their daily growler hours, at both their brewery and in the Strip District at the Pittsburgh Public Market. You can also find many of their beers at your favorite bar or restaurant– check out this list of places that have dedicated a tap to East End beers.
East End Brewing Company on Urbanspoon

Full Pint Brewing Company
Located in North Versailles, Full Pint is both a brewery and a pub. Go on a tour of the brewery or stop by for a pint or growler of one of their many craft beers, plus check out their newly launched food menu. Fellow Yinztern Ian wrote a great, more in-depth review of the pub.

PA Brew Tours
If you want to skip the hassle of organizing your own trip or designating a driver, then these beer tours are for you. They provide a ride to local breweries and pubs, a behind-the-scenes tour (when possible), and good food for the ride. Best of all, a portion of their profits is donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Penn Brewery
Penn BreweryModeled after the traditional beer gardens of Germany, Penn Brewery (aka the Pennsylvania Brewing Company) features craft beers, homemade food, and a historic setting. Oktoberfest in September is a roaring good time with music, dancing, German food, and, of course, tons of beer.
Penn Brewery on Urbanspoon

Rivertowne
With several restaurants located in and around Pittsburgh, Rivertowne sells lots of different beers including their own that they brew locally. You can check out any of their restaurants (which feature full menus), take a tour, or grab a six pack, case, or keg at the brewery.

South Hills Brewing Supply
Ready to tackle brewing your own beer at home? South Hills Brewing Supply has everything you need to get started with your first home brew, to perfect that recipe, or to get crazy with experimental beverages. It’s definitely your best bet in the Pittsburgh area for home brew supplies.

Treader’s Choice: Manchester House & Garden Tour

discovermanchesterTreading Art has been putting together an amazing list of weekend events around Pittsburgh. Each week we will highlight one of those events here on IheartPGH and link you back over to Treading Art’s weekly events post.

This weeks Treader’s Choice event:

Manchester House + Garden Tour

Sunday, August 4th

11am-5pm // $15

According to the Manchester Historical Society:

After a year’s absence from the home tour scene, Manchester is back with a home and garden tour de force.  We invite you to Discover Manchester as we transform the traditional home tour experience into a fun and funky afternoon of exploration and surprises.

Instead of the usual booklet, tour-goers will be handed a treasure map to guide them along the tour.  The route will take visitors through a number of beautifully rehabbed homes including the Sipes Mansion, on tour for the first time since 2006.  There’s a refreshing sorbet garden tasting courtesy of Ann Gilligan Sorbet, as well as a stop at the new La Prima Roasting facility on Chateau.

The tour starts at the 1300 block of Page St – Manchester

Make sure you check out the rest of the Weekend Threadings!

 

Steel of the Week: Vegan Milkshake

Our Steel this week may leave you a little hungry… Vegan milkshakes from the Quiet Storm. Vegans and non-vegans alike are sure to be satisfied from one of these shakes. Forget weekly vegan specials: Quiet Storm has twelve different varieties offered every day. The flavors we tried were the espresso shake, sticky bun, banana bread, and ginger lemon. As the menu suggests, they did take a little while to prepare, but were definitely worth the wait.

Located in Bloomfield since 2001, this vegetarian and vegan cafe is the perfect spot if you are looking for this type of meal or even just to connect to the wifi and get some work done over house brewed iced chai tea. Some other points worth mentioning: the cafe is BYOB, a mostly vegan Sunday brunch is offered, and take-out is available.

If you have an item you would like featured as our Steel of the Week, submit to sotw@iheartpgh.com!