Tom Pastorius: Pennsylvania's first Microbrewer

Craft brewing began in Pennsylvania in 1986 when Tom Pastorius introduced the first microbrew in Pennsylvania at the historic City Tavern in Philadelphia on June 6, 1986.  He called it Pennsylvania Pilsner and it was modeled after his favorite beer that he had enjoyed while living in Germany for 12 years, Erbacher, made in a small brewery a few miles northeast of Heidelberg.  It was an immediate hit and thousands of cases soon filled trendy bars and restaurants all over the Philadelphia area.  By 1988 Penn Pilsner, as it is now called, was distributed across most of Pennsylvania.

1986

The first brew - so sweet when it hits the lips

Pennsylvania Pilsner reaches Independence Hall

Tom and Mary Beth at the Pennsylvania Pilsner kick-off party

1989
In 1989 Tom opened the Penn Brewery and a German theme restaurant in the restored E & O Brewery buildings in Pittsburgh.  This was the first restaurant operated under a “Brewery” license in Pennsylvania since Prohibition.  A new brewmaster from Germany helped create several new brands:  Penn Gold, Penn Dark, Penn Weizen, Oktoberfest.

Tom in the new fermentation cellar



Governor Casey and Mayor Masloff tap the first keg


1990

Tom Pastorius with eminent beer writer Michael Jackson


2003

Tom won many medals and awards with his authentic German beers


2004

Tom enjoying a beer at Penn Brewery


2006

Tom Pastorius, “Mr. Beer”,  for tastings, talks, tours, festivals and articles.