Penn Brewery Celebrates Rare Craft Beer Feat of 30 Years in Business and "Appeels" to Craft Drinkers With New Tangerine Swirl Summer Ale Rollout

In 1986, Ronald Reagan was in the White House, Top Gun was playing in theaters, a new Ford Mustang cost $7500 – and Pennsylvania's pioneer craft beer, Penn Pilsner, was sold for the first time. After thirty years, the brand is still going strong, a testament to its quality and timeless appeal. The Brewery will celebrate its 30th anniversary with special products, packaging, and events including the Pennsylvania Microbrewers' Festival, throughout the year.

"For a craft brewery to have thirty years under its belt is a huge accomplishment," said Sandy Cindrich, Penn Brewery's CEO. "We're very proud of this brand and its longevity."

Here are some little-known facts about Penn Brewery:

• Although Penn Brewery is based in Pittsburgh, and all of its beers are now brewed here, Penn Pilsner, Penn's first beer offering, was actually launched in Philadelphia at the City Tavern. Why? It's because the beer was first contract brewed by Pittsburgh Brewing, which would not allow Penn, as a competitive brand, to be sold in western Pennsylvania.  Penn Pilsner was next brewed by Smithton-based Jones Brewing (owned by the family of actress Shirley Jones of Partridge family fame).
• The Penn Brewery facility, located on Pittsburgh's North Side, did not actually open until 1989, under the name Allegheny Brewery, in the former E&O Brewery building, a brewery opened by German immigrants in the mid- nineteenth century.  Penn has since grown into the oldest and largest production brewery in Pittsburgh. 
• Penn was also the first "tied house" (restaurant plus brewery) to open in Pennsylvania since Prohibition ended.