In Little Increments

I harp a lot about beer at Pittsburgh's PNC Park a lot on this blog. Almost as many times as I've complained about seasonal beers coming out earlier each year. With that being said, I've never voluntarily purchased a beer at any major sporting event at full price. I've purchased beer at the PNC Park post-game special for $2.50 a pop, but never during a game until this summer.

I found the craft selection at PNC Park so impressive during a visit this year that I decided to take that step into the abyss and fork over $9 for a beer. It wasn't as heart-wrenching as everyone thinks when you keep it to just one or two.

I found an article via CBS Sports ranking all Major League towns by beer cost in terms of price-per-ounce. Pittsburgh came in as the 26th cheapest place at $.34 for every ounce of beer. Good beer at that!

I mentioned earlier that your typical 16 oz. beer at PNC Park goes for $9. Multiply that by the $.34 and it gives you $5.44. Now, I'm assuming that's without taxes and markup. As it's late in the day and I just want to eat some dinner and watch the Pirates play the Milwaukee Brewers I don't actually feel like digging up any more.

Remember all of the hooplah over the New York beer stands with what some of you refer to as "faux craft" beers? At $.50 per-ounce? Yikes!

Lovely.

Stay Calm, All is Well

Last week I posted about the updated craft selection available to those taking in a ballgame at PNC Park. As I usually do when I write about PNC Park on this blog, I make mention of the Hall of Fame Club and the  post-game $2.50 beer special. I also mentioned the fact that the HOF Club was renamed in honor of local Rivertowne Brewing.

I figured it was just a name. I didn't think twice about anything else changing until my father mentioned the subject and asked if it was just going to be all-out Rivertowne brews sold in the new HOF Club. I figured the best and quickest way to get a response to my question was via Twitter.

@burghbeersnob Great question! They will maintain their variety of crafts with the addition of our signature six in the mix!
— Rivertowne Brewing (@rivertownebeer) April 8, 2013

The next thing on my mind is whether or not the post-game special would still be on after each game, but I wasn't exactly in the mood for pestering someone that just took the time out to answer one of my questions. I'm looking forward to finding out soon enough when I have a chance to attend a game at PNC Park. If the special is kaput, there's still some great beer to choose from. That's the important thing. Heinz Field, the clock is ticking.

Take Me Out to the Craft Pub

Yesterday was opening day for Major League Baseball. You can be excited if you're a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. I am, but I'm also excited as a craft beer fan. Everyone knows I rave about the post-game special at PNC Park's Hall of Fame Club ($2.50 for any beer in the place).

Over the past few season's the craft selection has grown, not only in the Hall of Fame Club, but all over the park. I remember when the best offerings on tap included Yuengling Traditional Lager and a few popular selections from a certain brewery on Vinial Street.

That selection has grown. The last time I was at PNC Park, there were about nine crafts on tap in the HOF Club and a concession stand called Beers of the Burgh which has all kinds of local drafts. I also noticed late in the year that there are quite a few carts along the main concourse of the ballpark that have somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-15 craft bottles that include Anchor Steam Beer and Magic Hat #9 (from what I can recollect). I'm expecting to see some canned brews with the new infusion of craft canning. Click here to use an interactive map detailing most of the locations.

If you're at the home opener today stop by the Rivertowne Brewing Hall of Fame Club and grab a Rivertowne Beer! Cheers to a great season!
— Rivertowne Brewing (@rivertownebeer) April 1, 2013

If you follow Rivertowne's Twitter, you probably already noticed that some of its brews can now be purchased once you're inside the stadium. I'm assuming that means the beer can be found both in the HOF Club and in the concourse concession stands.

I'm very excited for baseball to be back. I was raised on it. I love it so. I'm just as excited to check out the 2013 edition of the craft scene throughout the ballpark. Hopefully the post-game special still happens!