Tom Pastorius, who helped pioneer the national craft beer industry by introducing Penn Pilsner in 1986 and founding what would become Penn Brewery on the North Side three years later, has announced that he will retire. "All good things must come to an end," said Mr. Pastorius, 63, of Sewickley. He plans to hang up his lederhosen in September.

He has continued working as Pennsylvania Brewing Co.'s chief executive officer after selling a majority interest to Birchmere Capital in 2003. But part of that deal was that he step down after five years.

When the Pittsburgh native and his wife, Mary Beth, started the company in the former Eberhardt & Ober Brewery, the restaurant was called the Allegheny Brewery and Pub and was the first "tied house" -- brewery-owned pub -- in the state since Prohibition.

Having served in the Army and lived for several years in Germany, Mr. Pastorius did everything the German way, importing not just the copper kettles but also a brewmaster and making Penn Pilsner like a favorite German beer. Penn Brewery became known for its German food and music, while its brews became well-known across the state and beyond.

In 1990, Penn won a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival, the first of a dozen medals it would win there, in addition to honors from the World Beer Cup, the United States Beer Tasting Championships and other contests.

But looking back, Mr. Pastorius says, "I think what makes me feel best is we've been something special in Pittsburgh, and we've made a lot of people happy."

He's not sure if he'll hang on to his stock and his seat on the board, but he does plan to keep a hand in the beer business, perhaps working to raise the membership and profile of the Pennsylvania Brewers Guild. "Look at what the wineries have done," he said, citing their collaborative marketing and lobbying efforts.

He'll officially say goodbye at the annual Penn Brewery anniversary party on Sept. 12.

Meanwhile, he'll be in attendance at the June 7 Pennsylvania Microbrewers Fest, the craft beer blowout he started in 1995.

For more information, including how to buy tickets ($37 for one of three sessions -- noon, 3:30 p.m. and 8 pm.), visit pennbrew.com.

Tomorrow, one of Pittsburgh's more unusual beer events hits the streets -- on bicycles.

East End Brewing Co.'s Scott Smith plans to deliver and tap the season's first keg of Pedal Pale Ale, a summer seasonal first brewed in 2005 to celebrate Bike Pittsburgh's BikeFest.

He'll pull the keg on a trailer behind his bike, and invites other cyclists to join him. Once they reach a mystery bar, Mr. Smith will buy everyone bearing a token, given out at the start of the ride, a pint of the beer. Last year's ride/drink attracted 120 riders/drinkers. He's hoping for an even bigger turnout, which might mean he'll be pulling more than one keg.

The spectacle gathers at the brewery -- at 6923 Susquehanna St., off Dallas in Homewood -- at 6:30 p.m. and heads out at 7, rain or shine. For more, visit eastendbrewing.com.

Speaking of East End, the new cask ales at Piper's Pub on the South Side that we wrote about last week are flowing.