Hitchhiker Brewing Review – An Array of Stellar Beers

Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on August 27, 2020.

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When Hitchhiker Brewing Co. first open its doors in Pittsburgh (in Mt. Lebanon), we thought their beer was decent but were not overly blown away. But after their rapid expansion with a second facility in Sharpsburg, PA, did we notice that the brewery had vastly improved into what we believe is one of the finest breweries in Pittsburgh.

Beer Styles at Hitchhiker Brewery

Beer Flight at Hitchhiker Brewery

When it comes to describing the beer at Hitchhiker, its probably easier to say what the brewery doesn't do as this one is home to a wide array of styles ranging from IPAs to gose, cocktail inspired beers to coffee porters.

This is one of the reasons why we love Hitchhiker so much because the draft list is always quite varied and they do every style exceptionally well.

Whole Punch Passionberry from Hitchhiker

Lately Hitchhiker has been expanding a fair bit into the fruited beer territory, with their Whole Punch (IPAs conditioned on fruit and milk sugar) and Subsurface (fruited smoothie sour) series. The brewery also has waded into the unusual in the Whole Punch series with iterations conditioned on jelly donuts and breakfast cereal as well.

As such, you really never know what to expect from this one. Traditional double IPAs done well? Yes. Beers conditioned on fruit and spices to taste like a Pina Colada or Zombie cocktail? Also yes.

You really never know what they're going to come up with next here!

Be on the lookout for the following brews we love: Whole Punch series (fruited IPA with milk sugar), Usual Chaos / Subsurface (sour equivalents to Whole Punch), and The Shakes (Imperial coffee porter- regular, double, and triple).

Two Locations – Sharpsburg and Mt. Lebanon

Hitch Hiker Brewing

For those who value a good location, Hitchhiker has you covered with two.

Their original location is in Mt. Lebanon, and is a small taproom that has a rather cozy vibe. Their expansion location in Sharpsburg, however, is huge with ample floor space, a gorgeous outdoor patio, and a rather robust food truck schedule (more on that below).

But going further, the Sharpsburg site was once the home of Fort Pitt Brewing Co. and has a historical throwback relevant to beer drinkers. Great beer in a unique space? You know where to find us.

Food Options at Hitchhiker Brewing

Pittsburgh Sandwich Society at Hitchhiker Brewing

Hitchhiker does not have a full kitchen at either location but doe shave a limited menu of bar fare available including hot dogs or tacos (depending on location), nuts, pretzels, and beef jerky. The Sharpsburg location has a regular rotation of Pittsburgh food trucks that are published on their website, and the Mt. Lebanon location often has a food truck on Sundays.

What is your favorite beer at Hitchhiker? Comment below to share it!

Hitchhiker Brewing has two locations around Pittsburgh. One at 190 Castle Shannon Blvd in Mt Lebanon and one at 1500 S Canal Street in Sharpsburg.

Looking for more local breweries? Check out Dancing Gnome (just down the road) or Grist House!

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