My Old Pennsyltucky Home

If you were able to try the three collaboration brews during last year's Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week, there's no doubt that you're looking forward to the ones that are being anticipated for this year's celebration. Craft Pittsburgh Magazine's Twitter account tweeted a photograph of the tap handles for this year's brews.

Tap markers for this year's #PCBW collaboration brews: twitter.com/CraftPittsburg…
— Craft Pittsburgh Mag (@CraftPittsburgh) April 10, 2013

I honestly didn't even remember that some local breweries and home brewers would once again be working together to produce another set of beers. The tweet reminded my of this facet of Pittsburgh Craft Beer Week and prompted me to actually head to the event website to read as much as I can about the beers.

Two of these brews caught my eye and sparked a little interest. First was Fear of a Black Walnut which has a few brewers working on it from North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock. This brew is going to be a smoked walnut oatmeal stout. I always have to take an interest with anything North Country does. After all, I did go to school there. The second was Pennsyl-tucky Uncommon which is labeled as a PA Swankey/Kentucky Common on the event website. Scott Smith of East End Brewing is apparently playing a big role in that project. I am on a roll with drinking some of East End's stuff lately. So, I'll definitely be trying to get some of this very uncommon brew.

What the Hell is Kentucky Common?

Reading the beer styles on the photograph in the original tweet caused me to immediately start looking as to what Kentucky Uncommon actually is/was. Honestly, the best thing I found was the Wikipedia entry. The only thing it really says is that it was traditionally a dark beer.

The second question you're probably asking is about the PA Swankey style that was noted on the tap handle and the event website. What I do know is that North Country brewed something called Keystone Swankey and it was a California Common (i.e. steam beer). In essence, I'm not really sure what this beer is supposed to be. Still, I'm interested in finally finding out and trying it for myself.

A Good Place to Hang During PCBW

I did the same last year and I'll do the same this time around. I always try to give a shout out to my favorite craft pub, Blue Dust near the Waterfront shopping complex. Stop in on April 25 for a double-dosage of craft tasting. Bell's and Troegs will be there. Some awesome flights will be available. On April 27, Founders Brewing will be there for a tasting and some sort of brunch event. I'm told that All Day IPA will be featured. I'm not sure when the Founders brunch starts, but the Troegs/Bells one starts at 7 p.m.