The 40-plus vendors at the Pittsburgh Public Market, the indoor market in the old Produce Terminal on Smallman Street in the Strip District, are to include an East End Brewing Co. "Growler Shop."

Scott Smith, proprietor of the Homewood craft brewery, says the 10-by-20-foot double booth will dispense three of his year-'round brews and a seasonal into the glass jugs for customers to take home, just as happens now during "growler hours" at the brewery. He's not yet sure if he can have all the approvals and hardware in place for the soft opening Labor Day weekend -- Sept. 3 to 5 (the grand opening is Sept. 10 to 12) -- but he wants to. For more, visit pittsburghpublicmarket.org.

Consol Energy Center, which opened with last night's Paul McCartney concert, offers a variety of beers at its Brewhouse bar and throughout, but nothing connoisseurs would call a craft brew. At least not yet, but that could change.

Brands on draft ($5 for a small, $7.75 for a large) include Amber Bock by Michelob, Bud Light, Coors Light, Labatt Blue and Blue Light, Miller Lite and Yuengling. Bottles ($6, $7 for imports/premiums) are Bass, Beck's, Budweiser, Coors Light, Corona, Czechvar, Heineken, Hoegaarden, IC Light, Labatt Blue and Blue Light, LandShark, Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, O'Doul's, gluten-free Redbridge, Stella Artois, Shock Top by Michelob and Yuengling. Cans (16-ounce, $7.25) are Bud Light, Coors Light, IC Light. Labatt Blue and Blue Light, Miller Light, Rolling Rock and Yuengling.

At least one local craft brewer, Penn Brewery, has been meeting with Consol folks about coming in, so we'll keep our fingers crossed.

At 7 tonight, Downtown's ToonSeum is having its second Toons and Brews beginner cartooning classes featuring Church Brew Works beers ($15 or $10 members, reserve at 412-232-0199; toonseum.org).

Shadyside's Harris Grill is the place for a "Bells Tap Takeover" starting at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23. They'll be tapping kegs of the Michigan brewery's Amber Ale, Pale Ale, Hell Hath No Fury, Kalamazoo Stout, Consecrator Dopplebock, Oberon, Porter, plus a wooden firkin of Two Hearted Ale, plus "a couple of to-be-revealed secrets!" So says proprietor Rodney Swartz. "We're pairing some special treats with many of the beers, including a cheese board, pork belly tacos, lobster rolls, hanger steak kebab, plus desserts and more."

Cost is $30 per person; reserve at 412-362-5273.

Coming this fall: The Shiloh Grill in Mount Washington.

This is different: Pittsburgh Cruise Lines, which has been running wine and cheese rivers cruises from the Strip District (the next one, themed South America, is Sept. 1), is on Weds., Aug. 25 doing a "Suds of Summer" beer-tasting cruise featuring four summer beers and a snack, plus a cash bar. Board the "Fantasy" at 6:30 p.m. and head out at 7 p.m. with Vecenie distributing's Tony Knipling; cost is $31 (pghwaterlimo.com/beercruise.php).

Chris Trogner himself, one of the brothers who founded Harrisburg's (and soon Hershey's) Troegs Brewing, will host a beer dinner at the Headkeepers in Greensburg at 6 p.m. on Tues., Aug. 24. His brews will be paired with each of five courses. Cost is $55 per person including tax and tip; reserve at 724-838-7439 (theheadkeeper.com).

Speaking of good food-beer pairings, Usinger's sausages and Philly Pretzel Co. soft pretzels will be served with 13 beers at the "Battle of the Brews" courtyard fundraiser at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library from 6 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 28. Admission is $25 or $30 at the door and you'll get a $5 coupon to spend in the library's Book Cellar (412-531-1912 or e-mail msingalls@msn.com).

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