Primanti’s and East End Brewing bring back pickle beer

PITTSBURGH — For the second year, fans of pickle beer can rejoice, as Primanti Bros. and East End Brewing Company are bringing back their Almost Famous Pickle Beer collaboration.

The businesses joined forces last year to create the “cucumber peppercorn Gose ale,” one of the city’s first pickle craft beers, and they are hoping the second round will be as successful as the first.

“Almost Famous Pickle Beer sold out in less than 48 hours after we cracked the first can in July 2019,” said Jim Prezioso, Senior Marketing Manager for Primanti Bros. “Almost Famous Pickle Beer is the right beer at the right time, especially with everyone in sort-of-a pickle these days with COVID-19. "

The beer, which launched for a limited time beginning Wednesday, Aug. 19 at Pittsburgh-area Primanti Bros. locations and East End Brewing, comes in individual commemorative 16-ounce cans or is also sold as 4-packs to-go.

Like last year, Primanti Bros. worked with East End Brewing’s owner and founder Scott Smith and his team to brew the pickle beer, because “Why mess up a good thing?” said Prezioso.

In addition to more standard beer ingredients like barley and hops, the recipe also includes about 600 pounds of fresh local cucumbers, coriander, sea salt and fresh dill, with a new addition this year: black peppercorn.

“The fresh cukes really come through this year, and the new peppercorn addition definitely accentuates the savory notes on the beer’s finish. I just can’t wait to drink one with a Primanti’s sandwich!” said Smith.

Production cutbacks due to COVID-19 pandemic causing beer shortages Production cutbacks due to COVID-19 pandemic causing beer shortages

Cox Media Group