Iron City Brewery | A Project Documentary by McKim & Creed
TLDRThe Iron City Brewery, a historic landmark in Pittsburgh, has been revitalized as a modern brewery while preserving its 1883 origins as a glass factory. Todd Zwicker, the president of Pittsburgh Brewing Company, shares the story of the brewery's evolution and its significance to the region's identity. The project, which began in March 2020, transformed the old PPG glass plant into a state-of-the-art facility that not only brews beer but also serves as a cultural hub. The brewery's aesthetic restoration, including the reveal of original brick and steel, has turned it into a showpiece. The space is designed to accommodate brewers, visitors, and the beer itself, with careful consideration given to the flow of people and products. Lighting plays a key role in enhancing the historical beauty of the building, with a focus on showcasing the brewing equipment. The brewery's expansion plans include a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, and outdoor entertainment, aiming to create a destination experience. The engineering behind the new system promises a consistent, high-quality product, and the facility's design allows for future capacity increases. The Iron City Beer is deeply ingrained in the city's culture, and the brewery's transformation is a testament to its enduring legacy.
Takeaways
- 🍺 The Pittsburgh Brewing Company was founded in 1861 by two gentlemen, Frauenheim and Vilsack, with Iron City lager being their main beer.
- 🏭 The new brewery is housed in a converted glass factory built in 1883, which has been transformed into a modern brewery while maintaining its historical aesthetics.
- 👷 Todd Zwicker, the president of Pittsburgh Brewing Company, emphasizes the company's goal to be relevant and supportive of the local region.
- 🔨 The project started in March 2020 and faced numerous challenges, but was completed in a short time, showcasing the team's ability to overcome obstacles.
- 🧱 The building's restoration involved sandblasting to reveal beautiful brick and steel, and the careful selection of paint colors to maintain the historical look.
- 🤝 The project had to cater to three clients: the brewers, the visitors, and the beer itself, ensuring smooth flow and accessibility for all.
- 💡 The lighting design aimed to highlight the brew vessels without detracting from the building's historical beauty, using simple yet effective solutions.
- 🛠️ The new brewery systems are transparent and visually pleasing, designed for both the workers and future visitors on tours.
- 📈 The engineering of the new system allows for better output, more consistent, and higher quality products compared to the old system.
- 📈 The brewery has plans for expansion, including a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, and outdoor venture, aiming to become a destination place.
- ⚡ The site has been designed with generous capacity, including two transformers rated at 10,500 KVA, allowing for future expansion and additional uses.
Q & A
When was the Pittsburgh Brewing Company established?
-The Pittsburgh Brewing Company was established in 1861 by two gentlemen, Frauenheim and Vilsack.
What was the main beer produced by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company at its inception?
-The main beer produced at that time was Iron City lager, which was the first lager in the Pittsburgh area and one of the first in Western Pennsylvania.
Who is Todd Zwicker and what is his role in the company?
-Todd Zwicker is the president of Pittsburgh Brewing Company and has grown up in Pittsburgh his whole life.
When did the project to transform the old glass factory into a brewery start?
-The project started around March of 2020.
What was the original purpose of the facility before it became a brewery?
-The facility was originally an old glass factory, specifically PPG number 1, established in 1883.
What was the main goal of the new brewery?
-The main goal of the new brewery was to give people a reason to engage with the brand, showing that they are relevant and supportive of their hometown region.
What was the challenge faced during the restoration of the old glass factory?
-The challenge was to restore the facility, which was in complete disrepair, by removing hundreds of years of paint and revealing the beautiful brick and steel underneath, while maintaining its traditional factory aesthetic.
How many clients did the project team have to consider in the brewery's design?
-The project team had to consider three clients: the brewers making the beer, the visitors wanting to see the operations, and the beer itself in terms of its flow through the facility.
What was the vision for the site's lighting?
-The vision for the site's lighting was to create different layers of lighting that would function well for the company as they figure out how the space will work for them, without drawing attention away from the historical beauty of the building.
What are the future plans for the brewery site?
-The future plans include a craft distillery, a restaurant, a marina, an outdoor venture, music entertainment, and a pavilion for outside seating, aiming to make the site a destination place rather than just a manufacturing brewery operation.
How has the engineering of the new system improved the brewery's output?
-The engineering of the new system has allowed for better output, more consistent product quality, and improved efficiency compared to the old system.
What is the significance of Iron City Beer in Pittsburgh's culture?
-Iron City Beer is deeply ingrained in Pittsburgh's culture, often associated with the city's identity alongside the Pirates, Steelers, and Heinz Ketchup. It is a staple in many local households and has a strong historical presence in the community.
Outlines
🏭 The Revival of Pittsburgh Brewing Company
This paragraph introduces the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, founded in 1861 by Frauenheim and Vilsack, and its flagship beer, Iron City lager. Todd Zwicker, the president of the company, discusses his lifelong connection to Pittsburgh and the brand's significance to the region. The narrative then shifts to the company's project that began in March 2020, which involved repurposing an 1883 glass factory into a modern brewery. The transformation aimed to showcase the company's relevance and commitment to the local area. Zwicker's personal journey from working at the glass plant to leading the brewery is highlighted, emphasizing the continuity and change within the same location. The paragraph also touches on the unique challenges of the project, such as balancing the needs of brewers, visitors, and the beer production process, and the aesthetic restoration of the facility.
🚀 Engineering and Expansion at Pittsburgh Brewing Company
The second paragraph delves into the technical and operational advancements at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company. It emphasizes the improvements in output, consistency, and quality of the beer due to the new engineering systems. The company's ambition to expand beyond brewing with plans for a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, and outdoor entertainment venue is outlined, aiming to create a destination rather than just a manufacturing site. The infrastructure's capacity is highlighted, with the mention of two high-capacity transformers that can potentially power a small city, indicating the scalability and future growth potential of the site. Personal anecdotes and the cultural significance of Iron City Beer in Pittsburgh are shared, and the pride of the engineering team in being part of the project is expressed.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Pittsburgh Brewing Company
💡Iron City Lager
💡Todd Zwicker
💡Brewery Revival
💡PPG Glass Plant
💡Aesthetics and Restoration
💡Triple Client Consideration
💡Lighting Design
💡Engineering and Systems
💡Craft Distillery and Expansion
💡Capacity and Infrastructure
💡McKim & Creed
Highlights
In 1861, the Pittsburgh Brewing Company was founded by two gentlemen, Frauenheim and Vilsack, with Iron City lager as their main beer.
Iron City lager was the first lager in Pittsburgh and one of the first in Western Pennsylvania.
Todd Zwicker, president of Pittsburgh Brewing Company, has grown up in Pittsburgh and sees Iron City as part of the region's fabric.
The project to revitalize the brewery started in March 2020, transforming an old glass factory into a new brewery.
The new brewery aims to be relevant and supportive of the hometown region, engaging people with its history and quality.
The building, originally PPG number 1 from 1883, is considered one of the coolest pieces of the brewery.
The project faced unique challenges, such as building walls and pouring concrete while running equipment.
The transformation of the brewery was completed in a short time, overcoming numerous challenges.
The aesthetics of the brewery were a main focus, with the goal of making it a showpiece.
The facility was restored to its former glory, revealing beautiful brick and steel structures underneath layers of paint.
The project had to accommodate three clients: brewers, visitors, and the beer itself, ensuring smooth flow for all.
Lighting design was crucial, aiming to enhance the historical beauty of the building without detracting from it.
The brew vessels were highlighted to align with the windows, showcasing the activity inside to the outside world.
The project involved a complex mix of systems, all designed to be transparent and visually pleasing.
The engineering of the new system is a significant improvement over the old, resulting in better output and product quality.
Expansion plans include a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, and outdoor venture, aiming to make the site a destination.
The systems are designed with generous capacity, allowing for future increases in production.
The vision of Pittsburgh Brewing Company is to create an attraction that goes beyond just a manufacturing operation.
The project has a strong emotional connection for many, including the engineers at McKim & Creed, who are honored to be part of it.