Fat Head’s Saloon, located at 1805 Carson Street, is a destination location on the South Side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Boasting 42 beers on tap, a real ale hand pump, and about 100 menu items, including Headwiches (sandwiches as big as your head), Fat Head’s Saloon has become a “Beer Mecca” for visitors and locals alike.  A rotating tap selection of craft brewed beers, a friendly, fun atmosphere, and a pub menu with the Fat Head’s twist, keeps Fat Head’s Saloon jumping at all hours, everyday of the week.  Guests can choose to sit inside at one of the 23 bar stools, 22 tables, or outside on the Fatio (patio) at one of the 12 covered tables.  The menu is immense, and with items like The Artery Clogger, Bay of Pigs, and South Side Slopes (Voted #5 Best Sandwich in the US by Maxim Magazine) to choose from, you may find yourself studying the menu for quite some time.Fat Heads Brewery and Saloon, Cleveland  Allow me to make a suggestion.  First, order yourself a pint, then study the menu, psyche yourself up, and don’t forget the stomach exercises, because you’re about to find out why Headwiches could just as easily be referred to as Stomachwiches!  Sound scary?  It shouldn’t.  You can get back to your routine tomorrow.  For now, “chill out, man . . . have a beer.”  Once you’re finished chillin’, head upstairs to check out the local 1807 Beer Union Six Pack Shop.  You can mix and match six packs of those wonderful beers that you tried on tap, and buy some of that killer swag that you saw Manager, Geoffrey Stober (glorified t-shirt model and self-acclaimed, Beer AmbASSador) sporting.

As you may have heard, there is now a Fat Head’s Brewery and Saloon, located near Cleveland, in North Olmsted, Ohio.  The rumor is true.  It was only a matter of time before Fat Head’s Saloon decided that pouring the great beers of the world was no longer enough.  Now, Fat Head’s has begun brewing beer also!  Take a great brand like Fat Head’s, pair it with a fantastic brewer like Matt Cole, and you have yourself a winning recipe! 

Glenn Benigni, Owner of Fat Heads Saloon

It all started when award winning brewer, Matt Cole, formerly of Rocky River Brewing Company, approached Glenn Benigni, owner of Fat Head’s Saloon, about investing in a brew pub to be named Aviator Ale Works.  After some discussions, and Glenn’s interest in one day coupling the Fat Head’s Brand with a production brewery, they came to an agreement on a franchised Fat Head’s Brewery and Saloon that would reside in the location that was originally planned for Aviator Ale Works.  Now fueled by the Monster Brand that is Fat Head’s, Matt and his people didn’t take long to make Fat Head’s Brewery and Saloon a reality.  They acquired the Fat Head’s image and ideals, and a 10 barrel system from the now defunct Hereford and Hops in Cranberry, Pennsylvania, and opened the doors in a little over one year. 

The menu at Fat Head’s Brewery and Saloon is similar to Fat Head’s Saloon, with a few different items and name plays, and the beers that Matt is producing are outstanding!  Fat Head’s Brewery and Saloon features 8 – 12 house beers and 20 guest taps on a regular basis.  A visit a couple of weeks ago has shown me that Fat Head’s Brewery and Saloon has more than just the obvious similarities to Fat Head’s Saloon.  Fat Head’s Brewery and Saloon is packing them in just like its Pittsburgh big brother!  There was a wait at the door the entire time of my stay, which was around a 6 hour stint.  During that time, I was exposed to Matt’s work with offerings like Head Trip (Belgian Trippel-style), Bean Me Up Coffee Cream Stout, Prohibition Polly Pale Ale, and Head Hunter IPA.  I found a few things to be constant.  All of the beers were crisp, clean, and balanced.  Three wonderful qualities for any beer!  According to all involved, the Head Hunter IPA is quickly emerging as the flagship brew.

Fat Head’s Head Hunter IPA, 7% ABV, 77 IBUs:

This beer is copper in color. Heavy, dank, pine sap and citrus dominate the nose. The mouthfeel is creamy and hits the palate with good malt weight that is immediately followed by big citrus fruit bitterness. The grapefruity bitterness is very pleasing and, in time, leads way to stiff pine resin bitterness, and hints of tropical fruit - pineapple. The finish is lengthy and nice, leaving a dry grapefruit bitterness clinging to all parts of the mouth for many minutes.  As the name suggests, this beer is aggressive and uncivilized!  Even with these modern, sought – after, characteristics, this American IPA still has plenty of balance.  I can see why this great beer is growing in popularity.

Fat Heads Saloon, Pittsburgh

If you find yourself in the Pittsburgh or Cleveland area, I would strongly suggest that you stop in and checkout Fat Head’s.  Not planning to be in either of these regions soon?  Change your plans.  If this is not possible, be patient.  You shouldn’t have to wait long.  With the way that this Fat Head’s Machine keeps rolling, they will have a production facility up and running, and be shipping their great beers out sooner than you might think! 


Fat Heads Saloon
1805 East Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412.431.7433
www.fatheads.com

Cheers!

craftbeerguy

rjohnson@beerconnoisseur.com

- All images courtesy of Rick White