Iron City Brewery | A Project Documentary by McKim & Creed
TLDRThe Iron City Brewery, a historic landmark in Pittsburgh, has been revitalized into a modern brewery by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company. Founded in 1861 by Frauenheim and Vilsack, it was known for its Iron City lager, a staple in Western Pennsylvania. The project, led by President Todd Zwicker, transformed a former glass factory dating back to 1883 into a state-of-the-art brewery that not only produces beer but also serves as a cultural hub for the region. The transformation involved extensive restoration, including sandblasting to reveal the original brick and steel, and the addition of new systems for brewing. The brewery now aims to be a destination, with plans for a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, and outdoor entertainment. The engineering behind the new system has improved output quality and consistency. The brewery's vision is to become an attraction that represents Pittsburgh's heritage, alongside the Pirates, Steelers, and Heinz Ketchup.
Takeaways
- πΊ The Pittsburgh Brewing Company was founded in 1861 by two gentlemen, Frauenheim and Vilsack, with Iron City lager as their main beer.
- π The new brewery is housed in a former glass factory from 1883, which has been transformed into a modern brewery while preserving its historical aesthetics.
- π Todd Zwicker, the president of Pittsburgh Brewing Company, aims to make the brewery relevant and supportive of the local region, enhancing its connection with the community.
- ποΈ 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.
- 𧱠The building's original brick and steel were restored to highlight the brewery's historical roots and create a traditional factory atmosphere.
- π₯ The project had to accommodate three clients: the brewers, visitors, and the beer itself, requiring careful planning for the flow of people and products.
- π‘ The lighting design was intended to be subtle and complementary to the building's architecture, with a focus on showcasing the brew vessels.
- π οΈ The brewery's systems are transparent and visible, designed to be both visually pleasing and accessible to workers and future visitors on tours.
- π The new equipment and improvements have led to better output, more consistent, and higher quality products compared to the old system.
- π There are plans for future expansion, including a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, and outdoor entertainment, aiming to make the site a destination rather than just a brewery.
- βοΈ The systems have been designed with generous capacity, allowing for increased production and the potential for additional ventures on the site.
Q & A
When was the Pittsburgh Brewing Company started and by whom?
-The Pittsburgh Brewing Company was started in 1861 by two gentlemen, Frauenheim and Vilsack.
What was the main beer produced by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company at the beginning?
-The main beer produced by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company at the beginning was Iron City lager.
Who is Todd Zwicker and what is his role in the company?
-Todd Zwicker is the president of the Pittsburgh Brewing Company.
When did the project to transform the old glass factory into a brewery start?
-The project to transform the old glass factory into a brewery started around March of 2020.
How does the new brewery aim to contribute to the local community?
-The new brewery aims to be relevant and supportive of the hometown region, giving people a reason to engage with the brand.
What was the previous use of the facility before it became a brewery?
-The facility was previously an old glass factory, known as PPG number 1, dating back to 1883.
What was the main challenge in restoring the aesthetics of the old glass factory building?
-The main challenge was dealing with the building being in complete disrepair with hundreds of years of paint over the walls. The team had to sandblast to reveal the original brick and steel, and then restore it to its former glory.
How many clients were involved in the project and what were their roles?
-There were three clients involved in the project: the brewers making the beer, visitors wanting to see the operations, and the beer itself, which required careful planning for the flow of people and product.
What was the vision for the site's lighting in the project?
-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 for the brewery site include a craft distillery, a restaurant, a marina, an outdoor venture, music entertainment, and a pavilion for outside seating, aiming to make it a destination place rather than just a manufacturing brewery operation.
How has the engineering of the new system improved compared to the old one?
-The new system has better engineering, which allows for better output, more consistent product, and better quality. It is also designed with the capacity to increase production in the future.
What is the significance of Iron City Beer in Pittsburgh's culture?
-Iron City Beer is a staple in Pittsburgh's culture, often associated with the city's identity alongside the Pirates, Steelers, and Heinz Ketchup. It has a long history and is deeply ingrained in the local community.
Outlines
π Founding and Transformation of Pittsburgh Brewing Company
The first paragraph introduces the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, established in 1861 by two gentlemen, Frauenheim and Vilsack. Iron City lager, the company's main beer, was the first of its kind in the Pittsburgh area and one of the earliest in Western Pennsylvania. Todd Zwicker, the president of the company, shares his lifelong connection to Pittsburgh and the brand's significance to the region. He describes the transformation of an old glass factory from 1883 into a new brewery facility, emphasizing the project's start in March 2020 and its successful outcome. The goal of the new brewery is to remain relevant and supportive of the local region, offering a reason for people to engage with the brand. Zwicker also reflects on his past employment at the site when it was a PPG glass plant and highlights the unique aspects of the project, including the building's historical value and the challenges faced during the transformation process.
π Engineering and Expansion of Pittsburgh Brewing Company
The second paragraph focuses on the technical and operational advancements made by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company. It details the improvements in the brewing system that have led to better output, more consistent, and higher quality products. The engineering advancements of the new system are compared favorably to the old one. The company's vision extends beyond the brewery to include a craft distillery, a restaurant, a marina, and an outdoor venture, aiming to create a destination place rather than just a manufacturing operation. The systems are designed to be transparent and visually pleasing for both employees and visitors. The capacity of the systems is generous, allowing for future expansion, as evidenced by the two high-capacity transformers on site. The paragraph concludes with personal anecdotes from an engineer at McKim & Creed, expressing excitement about the project and the cultural significance of Iron City Beer in Pittsburgh.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Iron City Brewery
π‘Pittsburgh Brewing Company
π‘Iron City lager
π‘Todd Zwicker
π‘PPG glass
π‘Aesthetics
π‘Show piece
π‘Lighting
π‘Craft distillery
π‘Destination place
π‘Engineering
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, grew up in Pittsburgh and has seen Iron City as part of the region's identity.
The project to revitalize the brewery began in March 2020, transforming an old glass factory from 1883 into a modern brewery.
The new brewery aims to be relevant and supportive of the hometown region, offering a reason for people to engage with it.
The building, originally PPG number 1 glass plant, is considered one of the coolest pieces of the brewery.
The project was unique, involving building walls and pouring concrete while running equipment in a short time frame.
The transformation from a glass plant to a brewery involved restoring beautiful brick and steel, creating a traditional factory facility.
The project had to accommodate three clients: brewers, visitors, and the beer itself, ensuring smooth flow for all.
The vision for the site includes creating different layers of lighting to support the brewery's future needs.
The historical beauty of the building influenced the lighting design, aiming for simplicity and integration with the architecture.
The brew vessels were highlighted with special lighting to showcase them to the outside, aligning with the windows for visibility.
The brewery's systems are transparent and visually pleasing, designed for accessibility to both workers and visitors.
The engineering of the new system significantly improved output, consistency, and quality compared to the old system.
Expansion plans include a craft distillery, restaurant, marina, outdoor venture, and entertainment with music and a pavilion.
The systems are designed with generous capacity, allowing for future increases in production.
The brewery has the capacity to power a small city with its two transformers rated at 10,500 KVA.
Pittsburgh Brewing Company aims to make the site an attraction, not just a manufacturing operation, with plans for family visits and entertainment.
Iron City Beer is deeply ingrained in Pittsburgh's culture, with many residents, including the narrator, having a personal connection to the brand.
Engineers at McKim & Creed are honored to be part of the project, bringing their technical expertise to solve complex problems.