The picks are in. The taps are ready. And this time, the competition is flowing by the pint. Eleven regional craft breweries will compete for best beer at the Allegheny Mountain Malt Sustainable Sip-Off on April 21, 2026 at Mike’s Beer Bar, 110 Federal Street.
Held on the eve of the Draft on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, the event invites fans to warm up for football’s biggest selection night by drafting their own favorites, one sustainable sip at a time! Doors will open, and tasting will begin at 4 p.m., with winners announced at 7:30 p.m. Think of it as the opening round for beer lovers.
Each participating brewery will create a beer featuring locally and regeneratively grown Allegheny Mountain Malt, brewed with sustainability in mind. Attendees will taste, evaluate, and cast their vote for the coveted People’s Choice, while professional and celebrity judges name Top Draft Pick and contest participants select Brewer’s Choice.
The Sustainability Spotlight Award will also honor the brew featuring the highest percentage of locally sourced ingredients. Tickets are $20 in advance and are available at BridgeItTogether.org/Sip-Off.
Tickets will also be available at the door for $25. Admission includes samples from the participating breweries, a voting ballot, interactive entertainment, a souvenir pint glass, and one complimentary full-size pour from the extensive Mike’s Beer Bar menu.
Produced by Sustainable Pittsburgh, Food21, and Allegheny Mountain Malt, the event serves as a kick-off to a jam-packed week highlighting what makes Pittsburgh great – including its nationally recognized brewing scene, its strong and deeply connected communities, and its transformation to a city of sustainable innovation. Bhavini Patel, executive director of Sustainable Pittsburgh, sees the event as the perfect play call.
“The Sustainable Sip-Off lets us celebrate sustainability in a way that is high energy, community-driven, and a whole lot of fun. It’s a winning combination,” Patel said. “Through our new Bridge It Together campaign, we’re strengthening relationships with our sustainably designated restaurants and businesses while also raising awareness among those we haven’t yet worked with. As climate pressures increasingly impact agriculture and our regional food system, supporting breweries and businesses that prioritize sustainable sourcing and practices becomes even more important. Beer begins with agriculture, and events like the Sip-Off help make that connection visible and accessible, empowering consumers to support a more resilient Pittsburgh region.”
Neil Glausier, Brewmaster and Co-Owner of Burghers Brewing Co., was the first to order Allegheny Mountain Malt for the contest.
“I had to do a bit of rescheduling to produce another beer for April, but I couldn’t sit this one out! We had the perfect beer in our library to showcase these local malts, and we got to work. We anticipate a world-class beer to emerge from our lagering tanks in 6-8 weeks. Sustainability is central to our operations, which motivated us to become a Platinum Designated Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant.”
“A relationship with Sustainable Pittsburgh is a natural fit for us, too,” said Vince Mangini, Food21 Value Center manager and Allegheny Mountain Malt coordinator. “Our barley growers are pursuing sustainable farming practices, including regenerative farming. And purchasing local malt reduces a brewer’s carbon footprint by eliminating shipping from out of state or overseas.”
Additional competing brewers include Abjuration Brewing, Cobblehaus Brewing Co., Devout Brewing, Hazel Grove Brewing, Headley’s Brewing, Hop Farm Brewing Company, Late Addition Brewing + Blending, Tortured Souls Brewing, Unity Brewing, and Windy Bridges Brew.
The Allegheny Mountain Malt Sustainable Sip-Off is made possible with support from Duquesne Light Company, Mike’s Beer Bar, and Ya Jagoff!
