PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The nation’s craft beer industry is gathering in Pittsburgh in late March at the CBX Craft Beverage Expo and Conference, and, for one day, the public is invited to lift a pint with the best.

The industrywide trade show open’s up CBX Experience, a consumer-tasting event showcasing the products of craft vendors, to the public on March 31. CBX’s open invite gives attendees the chance to sample a wide range of products and connect with their favorite brewers. The event will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and tickets are available online.

“We’ve long had an eye on Pittsburgh as an important region in the ever-expansive craft beverage universe,” Kellie Shevlin, the executive director of the conference, said in a press release. “We’re thrilled to showcase the masters of their craft from some of the best-known brands, to the emerging stars of tomorrow, in a city where craft beverages and innovation go hand in hand.”

A general admission ticket for $65 will get you in at 6:30 p.m., though if you think it might take a bit longer to get to the unlimited samples of up to 100 craft beer, spirits, wine, cider, sake and more, VIP admission at 5:30 p.m. is available for $105. Tickets are limited and will not be available to purchase at the door.

The trade show, held March 27 to April 2,  is cohosted by visitPittsburgh and will feature local brewers of everything from mead to sake. Throughout the week, brewers and distillers are encouraged to learn from industry experts, network with their peers and attend sessions covering everything from empowering women in the industry to sustainable packaging of their products

This is the first time the nation’s leading craft beverage expo is taking place in Pittsburgh. According to a press release, the organizers chose Pittsburgh “due to the area’s fast-growing craft beverage scene.” 

But that’s not to say the scene was ever dormant.

“There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn,” so said William Penn, the state’s founder.

William Penn made his aspirations for the nation’s second state clear.  The first brewery this side of the Alleghany mountains was founded in 1765 in Fort Pitt and craft beer has since soldiered on through revolutions, wars and Prohibition.

Beyond Yuengling and Iron City (in all fairness, Philly did have a 76-year head start), Pennsylvania ranks No. 2 for barrels of beer produced in the country. Craft and Microbreweries field a large portion of this output. 

Pennsylvania’s craft beer scene exploded in the late ’90s and 2000s, seeing the rise of nationally recognized vendors such as Artisanal Brewing of Downington and Tröegs Independent Brewing of Hershey, respectively the eighth and 20th largest artisanal breweries as of 2021. 

Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of visitPittsburgh, said in a press release the currently effervescent Pennslyvania beer scene is the product of its past, and, as it continues to grow, events such as CBX find a fitting home in Pittsburgh.

“Our region has been fighting for craft beverage since 1794, dating back to the famous Whiskey Rebellion,” Bachar said. “In contemporary times, our craft beverage scene has continued to build in scope, reach and momentum, making Pittsburgh the perfect destination for a major expo like CBX.”