PHOTO COURTESY OF BACK ALLEY BREWING COMPANY

After more than three years of planning, a Dormont brewery is slated to open on St. Patrick’s Day weekend thanks to support from local residents. 

Liquid gold, it seems, is right up their alley. 

“Honestly, if it weren’t for our ability to start canning and offering to-go sales and hosting and attending events in the community, we wouldn’t have survived,” says Cody Hoellerman, who is launching Back Alley Brewing Co. with Lee Sifford and Patrick and Patty McKinley. “The community rallied around us and we’re so grateful for that.”

The friends, who began homebrewing together in the back streets of the neighborhood, transformed the former Dormont Borough Municipal Building into a seven-barrel brewhouse and taproom that seats 100 people. 

They’re hoping for some luck of the Irish this week when they start pouring on-site pints. Grand opening hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17 and noon to 10 p.m. on March 18. 

Customers can expect 12 rotating taps pouring everything from Back Alley IPA, the company’s flagship offering, to a blonde coffee stout called Brewed Awakening and lighter options such as Mountain of Gold Pittsburgh-style lager. Cider, craft soda pop and non-alcoholic brews will also be available and Back Alley will eventually stock seltzers, craft cocktails, mead and other beverage options. 

The brewery has released 14 beverages since launching can sales on April 2, 2022. Folks who’ve been snagging Back Alley’s to-go suds for nearly a year can expect some old favorites to return for the occasion.

To start, the business will rely on food trucks to provide the on-site grub. A full kitchen is in the works, along with a second-floor event space and an additional seating area. In the meantime, the Back Alley team is encouraging its patrons to dine-in or get takeout or delivery from nearby restaurants, including Moonlit Burgers. 

Last summer, the beer-maker collaborated with the Potomac Avenue smashburger joint on a single-hop pale ale called SMASH Brew. Other area stores and eateries are carrying Back Alley products in cans and on tap. 

Hoellerman appreciates the neighborliness and plans to return the favor through more community events and collaborations. Out of respect to surrounding homeowners, there won’t be any shenanigans taking place in the alley behind the brewery. 

“The weekend is going to be all about celebrating a dream becoming a reality and thanking the community that made it all happen,” Hoellerman says. “We’re just excited to show off the taproom that we worked so hard to create and open after all this time.”