The Church Brew Works

Inside a former Catholic church in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville neighborhood, you won’t find wine on the altar. Instead, you’ll find brewing tanks filled with Celestial Gold, a German-style pilsner, and Pious Monk Dunkel, a ruby-hued dark lager. Housed inside a deconsecrated church that opened its doors to worshippers around the turn of the 20th century, Pittsburgh’s The Church Brew Works has become a destination for craft brew fans. The building became available after various churches merged into a new parish. In 1996, owner Sean Casey bought it, filling the space with beer-making equipment and opening a kitchen. Food options include specialties like the Kobe Cheesesteak and Lobster Mac and Cheese. On a cool autumn day, order the seven-onion soup made with Pious Monk Dunkel, which has had a spot on the food menu since the day the place opened. 3525 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15201, 412/688-8200, churchbrew.com