Unless you’ve been to the Church Brew Works in Pittsburgh or happen to catch a glimpse of the sign, you might simply pass it by, mistaking it for one of the city’s storied churches. The unique restaurant in Pittsburgh combines a rich history with amazing food. Add The Church Brew Works to your list of must visit restaurants because there’s really no other restaurant in the world like it.

The Church Brew Works has called the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh home since the days when it was known as St. John the Baptist Church.

Yelp/Stuart S.

St. John the Baptist Church became the center of worship for many Pittsburghers in the early 20th century. Construction began in 1902 when workers laid the cornerstone on Liberty Avenue.

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The cornerstone, which dates back more than a century, has within it a time capsule with the church’s history as well as newspaper clippings from the early 1900s. It has yet to be opened.

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Part of the church had to be rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1915. But, the parish community endured with the church becoming a refuge for Pittsburghers during both World War I and II, when floods ravaged the area, and during the Depression.

Church Brew Works

The church flourished through most of the 20th century until the early 1990s when, as with the rest of the city, the population in local churches began a steep decline, resulting in the closure of parishes.

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St. John the Baptist Church officially closed in 1993.

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The church sat empty until 1996 when, after its restoration, it reopened as what is now the popular Church Brew Works.

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The Church Brew Works, in fact, will commemorate its 20th anniversary with a celebration from August 1 through 7, 2016…

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…And will celebrate Oktoberfest from September 8 through October 2.

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Order a delicious meal from the lunch, the dinner, or the pub menu, each of which features some of Pittsburgh’s favorite dishes, including pierogies.

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The Church Brew Works also features a Gluten-Free Menu and a Kids’ Menu.

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Of course, no visit to the Church Brew Works is complete without ordering from the impressive beer list which includes such specialty brews as the Wayward Yinzer and the Pious Monk Dunkel.

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You really have to experience the Church Brew Works, a unique restaurant in Pittsburgh, to understand why there’s no other restaurant in the world like it. In fact, did you know you can eat outside at the Church Brew Works and these 10 other restaurants with amazing patios in Pittsburgh?

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Church Brew Works

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