Big Pour Week scheduled for September
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Pouring a taste at the 2010 Big Pour at Construction Junction.
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While plans still are brewing for a possible Pittsburgh Beer Week, there will be a beer almost-week in the city this year, as the fifth Steel City Big Pour, the popular craft beer and food and art fest fundraiser for Construction Junction, grows from one event into five days of events.
Say hello to Big Pour Week, to start Wednesday Sept. 7, leading up to the Big Pour Five on its usual second Saturday of Sept. 10, and winding up on Sept. 11.
"Since the excitement and demand had gotten so big, why not expand the event?" says David Lagnese, the Construction Junction board member and "instigator" of the fest that last year raised about $100,000 for the Point Breeze recycler of building materials -- and enabled many to have a great time.
Some 1,400 people swarmed each of two sessions, which sold out in hours at $55 per ticket. Related events already were popping up before and after.
Mr. Lagnese says Construction Junction has been considering expanding the fest, but did not want to make it bigger in space or sessions because, "We would risk ruining the event," and because presenting it is taxing for the organization, which still has to operate as a retail outlet seven days a week.
That's why he thinks it's a great idea to grow to other days and other venues. This will allow more entities to be involved, especially restaurants, breweries, beer bars and bottle shops. He says, "We just have a great affinity for the craft beer industry."
There has been talk this spring, starting with a meeting at Penn Brewery, about starting a beer week in Pittsburgh, like the now big ones in cities including Philadelphia. Not having one bothers people including Mr. Lagnese, who has been part of that local discussion group.
First Published May 19, 2011 12:00 am
